Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has praised Ross Barkley for reviving his career at the club and says the midfielder is currently ‘tactically’ ahead of Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Barkley, who will face his old club Everton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, had a difficult start to life in London after his January transfer but found his best form under Sarri.
‘In the first month he was in trouble,’ said Sarri. ‘Then he started to improve in every training, in every match. He is a complete player. He has physical qualities. He is fast.
'Technically he’s very good, good with left and right foot. I think he’s on the way to becoming a very important midfielder, not only in England.’
Barkley played alongside Loftus-Cheek in the 1-0 win over BATE Borisov on Thursday night but Sarri said: ‘We played Loftus and Barkley together, two very offensive midfielders. It’s not easy for me and I think it’s not very easy for them.
‘Barkley at the moment from a tactical point of view is a step ahead of Loftus.’