I’m ready for England call, says Barkley
ROSS BARKLEY is thriving under Maurizio Sarri and believes he would be a much better footballer had their paths crossed sooner.
Barkley fears he lost valuable years of personal attention and coaching after making his Everton debut at 17.
Only now, under Sarri at Chelsea, does he feel as if he is operating again in his natural position and receiving constructive tactical advice.
Barkley said: ‘I’ve thought about it, and I believe that if I did have that type of approach from a coach when I was younger then maybe I would have improved a lot more.
‘Over the years I haven’t been coached much and I’m at an age now where I understand football. When I broke into the Everton side under Roberto Martinez I was playing in the No 10 role and I’d never played there before.
‘I’ve always been a central midfielder and now I am, in a three, and I’m comfortable.’
Barkley admits it was a wrench to leave his boyhood club but, at 24, finally feels he is in the right place and fitter than ever.
Already this season, he has played 469 minutes of football, compared to 208 last season, and is expected to start tonight against MOL Vidi in the Europa League.
‘Sarri’s philosophy has helped me a lot,’ said Barkley. ‘His style really suits mine and I think I will show a lot more of what I’m capable of and create chances. He likes to press and when we receive the ball we are closer to the goal to take shots and create chances. That’s the way I like to play.’
It is more than two years since Barkley’s last England appearance. After injuries last season, he missed the World Cup in Russia and was overlooked for last month’s two games.
‘My performances show that I am capable of being in the England squad,’ said Barkley. ‘I’ve played a lot of minutes and I’m feeling as fit as ever. I feel with the number of games I’ve played I’m ready to be called up.’
Sarri expects Gareth Southgate to recall Barkley today for fixtures against Croatia and Spain.
‘I think he will return to the national team,’ said the Chelsea boss. ‘He is improving week by week and he can improve more from tactical and physical points of view. Technically, he is very good. He can become a great player.’
Sarri, unbeaten in his first nine competitive games as Chelsea manager, promised as many as nine changes against the Hungarian champions, and hinted at game time for Ruben LoftusCheek, who is fit after a foot injury picked up last month.