Barkley eyeing England recall thanks to Sarri
ROSS BARKLEY claims he would be a better player now if he had met Maurizio Sarri earlier in his career.
And the Chelsea midfielder insists he has done enough this season to earn an England recall when Gareth Southgate names his squad to face Croatia and Spain today.
Barkley, 24, has yet to play for Southgate and has not been in a Three Lions squad since March 2017 but is playing more regularly for the Blues under Sarri (right).
He said: “I believe
I am playing well enough, I’m playing a big role in the side and I think my performances show that I am capable of being in the England squad now.
“Sarri’s philosophy has helped me a lot because over the years I haven’t been coached much and I am at an age now where I understand football a lot more.
“I believe if I had that type of approach from a coach when I was younger, then maybe I would have improved a lot more.
“I feel like right now I am ready to understand every aspect of the game.
“Sarri has given me the chance to play and I’ve played, and I hope I’ve taken my chance. From a technical point of view he is making me a better player.
“His style suits mine and as the season goes on I will show a lot more what I’m capable of.”
Barkley worked with David Moyes, Roberto Martinez and Ronald Koeman at Everton before joining Chelsea in a £15m move last January.
It is almost two and a half years since he won the last of his 22 caps as a substitute in a friendly against Australia.
But Southgate was at Anfield to see him play 90 minutes as Chelsea beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup and he has already made twice as many appearances as last season. Barkley said: “I’m ready to be called up. I believe that over the next couple of years I can take part in the Euros and the next World Cup.”
Barkley will play in tonight’s Europa League clash with MOL Vidi of Hungary. His England rival Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also set to to start. JOHN TERRY has taken his first steps in management after helping Chelsea’s Under-19s smash Molde 10-1 at Cobham yesterday in the UEFA Youth League.
He aims to become a boss after leaving Aston Villa in the summer when his playing contract expired. He is assisting Chelsea U-23 coach Joe Edwards with the U-19s. CHELSEA (4-3-3): Kepa; Zappacosta, Rudiger, Christensen, Alonso; Loftus-Cheek, Fabregas, Barkley; Pedro, Morata, Willian. VIDI (4-2-3-1): Tujvel; Fiola, Juhasz, Vinicius, Stopira; Hadzic, Patkai; Nikolov, Kovacs, Huszti; Scsepovics.