Gabby Agbonlahor has told TalkSPORT that Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley has got to consider rejoining Everton, as he struggles for game time. He has failed to make a Premier League appearance since the turn of the year.
Barkley, 28, has endured a tough time at Chelsea since joining the club four years ago in January 2018. Since then, he has played just 98 times for Chelsea – going on loan to Villa, too. Only 11 goals have come in that time.
This season, he showed a brief resurgence in October, even starting against Burnley during a 1-1 draw. But only five Premier League appearances have come his way all season – and his contract now has just 18 months left.
90Min claim that Newcastle have held talks to sign the England international if they fail to bring in Jesse Lingard. But Agbonlahor thinks Barkley should consider a return to Everton before next Monday’s deadline.
“He should be gone now. Go somewhere in the Premier League, and play football. He’s not going to get into that Chelsea side. At Villa, he started well but his performances went so low, Dean Smith did not even pick him.
“He needs to go somewhere now and play some football and where better than to go back to your old club, that you love? Go and play some football,” Agbonlahor told TalkSPORT on Sunday.
Agbonlahor on Barkley: Everton could do with Chelsea star back
Of course, the lure of returning to Everton to play under Duncan Ferguson will appeal to a player like Barkley – who came through the ranks at Everton and will have watched Ferguson play for his boyhood club.
Everton could do with a bit of creativity, having lost James Rodriguez. While Barkley did leave on bad terms, what better way to rectify those terms by returning to Merseyside and shining once again in the blue of Everton?
Barkley is earning £96,000 a week (Spotrac) at Everton but if the Toffees were to cough up a substantial percentage of those wages – there is no reason why Chelsea would block a move. It makes sense.
TransferMarkt claim he is represented by the same agency that look after Everton stars Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes.
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