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Three big questions: Chelsea’s Ross Barkley and hesitation

By Travis Tyler

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea embraces Ross Barkley of Chelsea after their sides victory in the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Burnley FC at Stamford Bridge on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea embraces Ross Barkley of Chelsea after their sides victory in the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Burnley FC at Stamford Bridge on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 03: Ross Barkley of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his sides second goal with Billy Gilmour during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on March 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Chelsea’s Ross Barkley has been and is heading into uncertain waters. What questions are there to ask of the English midfielder?

Ross Barkley arrived at Chelsea in an odd fashion and has largely remained at Chelsea in the same way. He was perhaps the most bargain buy of all bargain buys and there is literally no way the Blues can come out behind on him no matter what happens. That being said, the future is again uncertain for Barkley. What questions need to be asked?

1. Does he have any chance at all in a crowded midfield?

Chelsea’s midfield was stacked this season. Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Billy Gilmour, and Ross Barkley all fought over three (sometimes two) starting spots. Barkley, for his part, did manage to pull together 1700 minutes. That is not bad, but it is surely less than a player his age wants. That is before even considering how many of those minutes may have come as a result of injuries and suspensions to others.

Then there are the Kai Havertz rumors that abound. If Havertz does join, he will likely fill into one of those midfield spots. That would further constrain the starting spots available. So, what chance does Barkley have?

All hope is not completely lost for the Englishman. Frank Lampard did seem to find key moments to use him towards the end of the season through the usage of dual eights in the midfield three. Barkley did quite well at times in the role and he is one of the players better suited for it in the squad.

But if Lampard does pretty much anything else with his midfield three, Barkley has a much lesser chance of finding a way in. Havertz, should he join, is a guaranteed starter. Mount is likely one too given his importance to Lampard’s tactics. Kovacic would have a strong shout to be next in line and Loftus-Cheek, should he return to his preinjury self, would also be high in the pecking order.

Barkley will have a battle on his hands regardless, but the question is in regards to the margin in which he may succeed.

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