The Chelsea supporters have been split down the middle by reports suggesting that Ross Barkley could leave Stamford Bridge for Leeds United or newly-moneyed Newcastle during the January transfer window.
Hands up who would have thought that would be the case a few months ago?
It has been a season of comebacks in West London – and we don’t just mean Romelu Lukaku.
Trevor Chalobah has gone from forgotten man to Super Cup hero, Ben Chilwell has evolved from £50 million bench-warmer to new-found goal-poacher while, in Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley, a pair of England internationals who appeared to have no future at Stamford Bridge are suddenly part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
Will Premier League leaders Chelsea sell Ross Barkley?
Barkley has featured in four of Chelsea’s last five Premier League games.
During his first league start since a 3-0 battering at the hands of Sheffield United in July 2020, Barkley produced a convincing cosplay of the absent Mason Mount, carrying the ball with purpose and poise during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley, even if his end product – not for the first time – came into question.
It is going to be a long old season at Stamford Bridge too.
Chelsea are top of the Premier League, still in the EFL Cup and fighting to retain their European crown. That’s without mentioning the FA Cup and the upcoming Club World Cup in the UAE.
There will be plenty of opportunities, then, for Barkley to carve out a little niche for himself in arguably the deepest squad in the division.
According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle are currently leading the chase to sign Barkley during the January transfer window, with Leeds and former employers Everton also interested.
And Chelsea are now weighing up the pros and cons of letting Barkley go. Tuchel and co are undecided. They’re not the only ones.
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