Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley has hinted a move back to Everton could be next after his dull stint with the Blues. Barkley signed for Chelsea back in the winter transfer market of 2018, for £15 million.
Touted as an exciting talent, Barkley, 24 at that time signed for the defending Premier League champions to further showcase his potential on a bigger stage.
The midfielder, at his boyhood club Everton had racked up 27 goals and 28 assists in 179 senior appearances for the club. However, his move to Chelsea never turned out to be as an upgrade.
Barkley has spent majority of his Chelsea career on the bench, falling behind in the pecking order to a host of midfielders due to his recurring injury issues.
The 28-year-old has managed 99 games for the Blues in three-and-a-half years which also includes a loan spell at Aston Villa. However, only a handful of his 99 appearances have been starts.
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While an exit has always been on the cards for Barkley, he could now pursue a transfer back to the Merseyside club. The midfielder in a slightest of hints has pointed towards the same.
Barkley has unarchived all his posts in Everton colours on Instagram, expressing his intention of joining them back. EvertonHub, a Twitter account which delivers updates of the happenings inside the club has brought this to attention.
The midfielder has failed to cement his place in the Chelsea team, and is clearly out of the picture from Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
While his 12-month-long loan move to Villa during the 2020/21 season yielded just 3 goals and an assist in 24 games, Barkley was then handed just 4 starts in the following season by Tuchel.
At 28, Barkley still has the fitness and confidence to compete at the highest level on regular basis. This transfer window could be his best shot to seal a move away from Chelsea for regular game time.
However, there is a strong sense of belief that his potential comeback to Everton won’t be welcomed merrily by the Toffees’ fans.
Barkley left Everton on ill-fated terms owning to his dispute with manager Ronald Koeman. He further refused to extend his contract at the club which could have fetched around £35-£40 million from the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham who wanted him.
But the Toffees had to let him go in the winter market, with six months remaining on his deal. As a result, they could make only £15 million from his sale to Chelsea.
The fans seem to have not forgotten his departure and could object to the club going for him instead of other available targets.