Ross Barkley's Chelsea career has been handed a lifeline after Frank Lampard reportedly called to congratulate him on his fast start to life at Aston Villa.
The midfielder has settled in quickly at Villa Park and has rediscovered his best form, scoring twice in five matches to help fire Dean Smith's side up to sixth in the table.
The 26-year-old joined Villa in the summer on a season-long loan deal, having asked for a move after Lampard was unable to give him assurances over his playing time following their summer business.
With the big-money arrivals of Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech, Barkley found himself frozen out of Lampard's first-team plans but has now been given fresh hope that he still has a career at Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea boss is understood to have been impressed with Barkley's performances and recently contacted him to praise him on his strong start at Villa, according to Eurosport.
The publication reports that Lampard is 'fascinated' by elements of Barkley's game and has not ruled out opening the door for him to return to the fold at Chelsea next season if he continues to perform well.
Villa boss Smith revealed last month he promised Barkley he would get him into England's Euros squad next summer.
Barkley, who turns 27 in December, has not featured for Gareth Southgate's squad for more than a year since scoring twice in the 6-0 win over Bulgaria.
'He's a high-calibre player. I'm thankful to Chelsea that they've loaned him to us,' said Smith of the former Everton midfielder back in October.
'I sold him the project here and told him I'll get him in the Euros squad and he's going to try and help us win football games. He's certainly done that in his first couple.'
'He couldn't have started better. Being a Blue, getting that win and scoring against the Reds (in the 7-2 win before the international break) and then getting that in the 91st minute couldn't have been a better start for him or us.'
ChelseaFCaddict
144
Ross Barkley no longer has a place in the current Chelsea fc XI ,i mean let's face facts Havertz is a £72mil that could rise to £89mil so he's going to play, mason mount is Lampard's favourite ain't no way he'll bench him for Barkley ,Ngolo Kante on the other hand is untouchable ,then there's Jorgihno ,there's Kovacic so there's no place for Barkley even if he'd comeback to Chelsea he'll still be a flop. The thing Barkley is that his playing style doesn't fit in Chelsea now it's like trying to fit in Griezman into tiki taka style. Chelsea must just sell him bcz Barkley doesn't deserve to be on the bench so selling him will benefit both parties
TajayMullings
8
Ross Barkley no longer has a place in the current Chelsea fc XI ,i mean let's face facts Havertz is a £72mil that could rise to £89mil so he's going to play, mason mount is Lampard's favourite ain't no way he'll bench him for Barkley ,Ngolo Kante on the other hand is untouchable ,then there's Jorgihno ,there's Kovacic so there's no place for Barkley even if he'd comeback to Chelsea he'll still be a flop. The thing Barkley is that his playing style doesn't fit in Chelsea now it's like trying to fit in Griezman into tiki taka style. Chelsea must just sell him bcz Barkley doesn't deserve to be on the bench so selling him will benefit both parties
Where do you people come from saying Mason is his favourite? N why can't y'all acknowledge that he's playing because he's putting in the work n he deserves his place in the team?