Ross Barkley’s career at Chelsea has been a flop, but signs point toward that changing following his recent run of form.
At Everton, Barkley was one of the most electric playmakers in the Premier League. He exuded confidence and played with the kind of passion that made fans fall in love with the game all over again. Few things in football are more beautiful than a chance-creating midfielder, and that’s what Barkley was.
Barkley arrived at Chelsea in January 2018 on the back of a nasty hamstring injury that sidelined him for 29 games. The Blues moved for the out-of-form midfielder on a £15 million transfer, hoping he could return to the player he was once. However, Barkley’s failed to reach that level in London. Barkley’s goal against Liverpool showed Chelsea fans that there’s still a reason to believe in him as it looked like a vintage Everton strike.
There are three things Barkley’s FA Cup strike shared in common with goals he used to score at Goodison Park—pace, confidence and the ‘it’ factor.
First, pace. Often times at Everton, Barkley used his strength and speed to blow by defenders. However, since arriving at Chelsea, the midfielder has looked sluggish on the ball. His decision making becomes more and more questionable as he picks up speed. More times than not, Barkley picks up the ball, advances a few feet—with far more dribbles than necessary—and dumps it off. The speed at which he plays looks Nemanja Matic-esque. His goal against Liverpool was different. He sprinted down the pitch, slicing the defense right down the middle. Even at top speed, Barkley looked comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Next, confidence. Barkley showed something against Liverpool he hadn’t shown in his two years at Chelsea—belief in himself. From the moment Barkley picked the ball up, he knew he was going to shoot. Commentators around the world stood puzzled as to why he didn’t dump it off to Pedro at the first opening. He knew. Barkley found his opening and hammered the ball into the back of the net for the best goal of his Chelsea career.
Lastly, the ‘it’ factor. Despite Billy Gilmour putting on a near-perfect performance, Barkley’s goal stole the show. He stunned Liverpool supporters, sent Stamford Bridge into a frenzy and celebrated in grand fashion. Had it not been for Fikayo Tomori’s rocket at Wolves, Barkley may have the goal of the season.
All of those things add up to show that Barkley is in the right place. The 26-year-old is on football’s biggest stage where he belongs. He may not consistently show it, but Ross Barkley from days of old is still there and his goal against Liverpool confirms that. If he continues to build on that goal, improve his pace and do things with confidence, he could become a key contributor in Chelsea’s midfield. Emphasis on the ‘if’.
If Frank Lampard can continue to get the best of Barkley, the England International could become a secret weapon for Chelsea for years to come.