Three big questions: Chelsea’s Ross Barkley and hesitation

3. What is his position in the team now?

With the midfield so crowded, Barkley (should he stay) may need to find a new lease on life. Luckily for him, there is both a precedent and a need for that.

With Willian and Pedro departing, Chelsea is light on the wings. Hakim Ziyech is expected to play on the right with Christian Pulisic on the left, but that leaves Callum Hudson-Odoi as the club’s only other remaining winger.

Mount has played in the spot often this season and depending on how the battle between him and Kovacic pans out, he may play there more yet. Loftus-Cheek also played in a version of the role both last season and this season, so he could be an option.

But it is Barkley that seems the most natural fit. Lampard does not use wingers in the traditional sense. They are more like attacking midfielders given the license to roam wherever the play dictates. For a player like Barkley, that would be ideal.

First of all, freedom is what has already been stated to be his must needed piece to succeed. His play in tight spaces, with little chance to over think, is among the best in the squad. And it would also remove the direct defensive burden off of him that he would face in a deeper midfield role. He would still have to press of course, but that is much easier for an attacking minded player to become proficient at.

It would also offer a much easier route to minutes than midfield did this season or will next season. Rather than fighting seven or more players for minutes, he would be fighting three for just two spots. He would likely be able to play far more and thus would have a greater chance to show what he is made of.

What questions do you have about Ross Barkley going into next season? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!