Maurizio Sarri's style of play is ready-made for Ross Barkley. He is enjoying the freedom the new manager has given him to attack.
The 24-year-old is the closest England have come to Gazza in terms of technical ability but at Chelsea we have yet to see his full repertoire.
Barkley had two excellent chances against Arsenal, firing over the bar in the first half before bursting into the box and having a shot tipped around the post by Petr Cech after the break.
But while he is proficient with both feet, Barkley hardly used his left on Saturday and seemed reluctant to sprint into the area.
It felt like he was playing within himself, as if wary that he could suffer a recurrence of the hamstring injury that kept him out for most of last season.
He was replaced on the hour by Mateo Kovacic but I would urge Sarri to stick with Barkley for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle.
This is a player who needs to gain confidence and become more free in his mind to go and play. Sarri has a special talent and can give him the perfect platform to finally fulfil his potential.
yanabuy
0
i bank wth bakarley coz the other is a passegjer
Lanbdz
0
Rose is still unfit like most Chelsea players are but once he gains shape and shade off a few kilos he would be fine and unstoppable but that does not mean he is better than the confirmed beast. Technically he is way back but he has youth in his side. He can learn as much as he can if h is willing to improve but for him dreaming of ever branching the player of that caliber he needs to improve defensively and technical which is hard to do if you are not gifted. In my opinion he is a very good replacement in case of injuries and for rotation purposes.
muyabcimpt
1
kovasic is better than barkley
FrakonAlex
1
Covasic is better than Barkley cos his accuracy and dribbling is very obvious. I bank with Covasic
jaydlnpz
1
Atleast we know Chelsea has some depth in the team.. it's good to see there's competition in the midfield, atleast that would push some players to work harder
Handsome Mike
0
I doubt fabregas will play much when he gets fit
Lol..It's a crazy fight in our midfield today..Loftus, Fab, Drinkwater and Kovacic/Barkley..
Handsome Mike
0
The few minutes Kovacic played in the game, gave Chelsea a lot of stability..He won more tackles in a short period than Barkley did throw out his time in the field.. If you ask me, I think Kovacic is a better because he offers what Barkley offers offensively and also has more defensive qualities than Barkley.
blueblade
0
Ross Barkley is good but he's going to back to the bench if,he doesn't perform better than Mateo kovasic,Mateo has a lot of class in his game and that put's Barkley in bad position
nezlmoruy
0
thats sarriball
Herve2
0
he will be good
Tpardrock
4
oh Barkley is doing a great Job, if he can keep improving in his marking he will be a big surprise for everyone....
jupdinotuz
2
Rose is good but Kovacic is better
deeikp
0
Ross Barkley was really good but I think Kovacic is a more better player than him. The midfield is very strong and just a few adjustments to be made defensively. This Chelsea is going to be a big surprise
kingolatunji
3
Barkley is back
SlimJee
5
Barkley is a brilliant player and needs time
yawhazard
2
yeah I prefer sarri play him,he is a good player
ToniAttah_
1
Know they'ld always overly hype barkely cos he's English though he has crazy potential and bright future
Hotdknpsuy
0
he played well 2day but kovacic is a genius understood the game better than Barkley and fabregas
no
CFC_King
4
It really amazed me how Kovacic came on and took the game on its head. He just fits in seamlessly, that's a really brilliant midfielder we have on our hands.
Seunboy
1
I doubt fabregas will play much when he gets fit
Niablmrtyz
3
he played well 2day but kovacic is a genius understood the game better than Barkley and fabregas