Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
AT 21 BARKLEY WAS TIPPED TO BE THE NEXT BIG STAR. ‘BUT A I’M A MUCH BETTER PLAYER NOW’
ROSS BARKLEY is determined to make up for lost time after his England career stalled three years ago. The Chelsea midfielder was seen as English football’s bright new hope just before Euro 2016, but went to France and did not get a kick. But he has reinvented himself both on and off the pitch at Stamford Bridge to force his way back into Gareth Southgate’s England plans. He is beginning to shine under new Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri (right), but equally noticeable is his new-found confidence – changing from being nervous in the spotlight to speaking with fresh belief.
Former Everton star Barkley, who already has 22 caps, said: “I am 24 now and maybe I used to have a lot of things on my mind and used to think about things.
“But now, I’m fully aware of what I can add to the squad and what I can bring to Chelsea.
“I have got a lot of confidence in my ability now, and I feel like I am going in the right direction and this shows in my performances on the pitch. As a person I feel a lot more confident.
“Day-to-day training with world-class players, there is no better feeling than that. Playing with these players has a big effect on me. On game day I feel I am mixing with unbelievable players and it is exciting.
“I feel much more mature now and that
I am more ready to show what I’m capable of – what
I have shown over the years in spells.
I can produce the goods on game day.
“Maybe in the last few years I have been a bit inconsistent, but now
I am fully focused on giving consistent performances.
“Everybody develops at different rates. And I am understanding my football better than I have ever understood it before and I am enjoying it. I’m happy and I feel like I am going in the right direction.
“I feel I am better equipped now, I have had expectations on me from a young age and I have dealt with them. “I have been through difficult spells, but I feel like I am coming out of it now as a better player. “I have worked on my weaknesses defensively and I have worked on my strengths going forward and I feel like I am becoming a more all-round
player.” Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer even claimed at the weekend that the “penny had dropped” with Barkley after he scored and provided an assist in Chelsea’s win at Southampton.
But Barkley has admitted it was a hard decision to leave Everton – and moving to Chelsea in January 2015 was even tougher as he recovered from a serious hamstring injury.
He added: “Everyone has got an opinion. I believe I am at an age where I have come through a difficult spell at Everton and I have learnt a lot.
“I have played for England over the years and right now I feel I am fully ready to show what I am capable of. It’s about how you react to setbacks . And I believe I have reacted in the right way.
“I’ve kept my head down and worked really hard behind the scenes and I believe that the rewards are ahead.”
That maturity has also helped convince Barkley that he is a better player than the one who earned the 22 caps for the Three Lions previously. He said: “I believe I’m a much better player than the one who played for England in the past. I understand football a lot better.
“At club level I’ve got a lot of competition and I know how to deal with that. You’ve got to work hard and your rewards do come.
“You’ve got to believe in yourself and when you do get your chance you’ve got to take it.
“I believe that when chances do come for me now I’m ready to take them.
“The chance is there. It’s not too late. I’m still only 24, I’m not in my prime yet. I’m ready to kick on and I’m looking forward to the future.”