Chelsea signed Ross Barkley from Premier League rivals Everton in January 2018 after his development stalled at Goodison Park.
Ross Barkley is not the first Chelsea player this season to laud the famously intensive coaching style of Maurizio Sarri.
The Italian coach arrived at Stamford Bridge from Napoli and has set about transforming Chelsea’s style of play, ripping up Antonio Conte’s pragmatic game plan and introducing a more expansive and attacking style.
And Ross Barkley certainly believes he has benefited from Sarri’s approach, while seemingly aiming a sly dig at his coaches at former club Everton.
“I would say Sarri’s philosophy has helped me a lot,” the 24-year-old told the Times. “Over the years I haven’t been coached much and I am at an age now where I understand football a lot more and I know how important it is to take the different tactics from different managers on board.
“When I broke into the Everton side under Roberto Martínez, I was playing in the No 10 role and I had never played there before from when I was developing through the academy to the first team.
“I was getting used to that role as a first-team player but usually I was a No 8 or, before I broke my leg, I was a deep-lying midfield player. I have always been a centre midfielder, either in a two or a three, and now I am in a three and I feel really comfortable with that.”
Barkley was certainly moved around the pitch at Everton, with the Merseyside club seemingly never quite sure where the Finch Farm graduate would be able to have the biggest impact on the game.
The England international’s development certainly stalled during Ronald Koeman’s time in charge. The Dutchman frequently criticised Barkley in the press and often left him out of the team rather than give him the chance to prove himself.
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