Noel Whelan urges Everton to sign Chelsea star Ross Barkley in January
Speaking to Football Insider (h/t Football,London), Noel Whelan has suggested that Everton should sign Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley in the January transfer window. The Toffees were the boyhood club of Barkley before he moved to Stamford Bridge.
The 27-year-old left his former club to join the Blues in 2018 for a deal worth £14.2million. However, things have not gone according to plan, and he has had a mixed time at the West London club.
The midfielder has 11 goals and assists each in 94 appearances for the Premier League leaders but has found opportunities hard to come by this season. He also had a disappointing loan spell at Aston Villa last season and has struggled to make a name for himself away from Goodison Park.
Whelan believes the player looks a different beast from the one who flopped at Villa Park. He believes Barkley has rediscovered his mojo and is starting to perform very well.
“We’re seeing a different Ross Barkley right now to the one we saw at Aston Villa last season – he’s got his mojo back. He’s got that hunger; he wants to impress when he comes off the bench at Chelsea – he’s pressing and hustling the opposition really well.”
Whelan believes there is a change in the Englishman as he is more eager to show his abilities to earn a spot. He praised him by comparing the differences between his loan at Villa and what he has shown this season.
“He’s also capable of getting into that final third and causing teams problems in there, as well. He’s not hit the heights of his potential, but he could get back to his best back at Everton.”
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Earlier, Thomas Tuchel had praised the Blues ace for his fight to get into the team, which means Whelan’s analysis is right after all. However, with competition from Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, it would be tough for him to earn a spot.
A move in the winter could be in the best interests of all parties based on the circumstances.