Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports during their live coverage of Aston Villa’s draw against Wolves on Saturday that Ross Barkley’s current situation is a ‘worry’.
Even with Villa’s creative spark – Jack Grealish – out through injury, for the third game running, Dean Smith opted to leave the Chelsea loanee on the bench.
In recent matches, teenager Jacob Ramsey, and during Villa’s 0-0 against Wolves, January signing Morgan Sanson have played ahead of the 27-year-old.
Redknapp believes that Barkley clearly ‘isn’t doing enough’, as he claimed that it’s more worrying that the Everton academy product doesn’t start even when Grealish is missing from the side.
“The fact that Grealish isn’t playing and he’s not still playing, it’s a worry for him,” said Redknapp.
“He’s got ability but when you go out on loan to a club it’s a big opportunity to show what you got. Showcase, this is what Chelsea will be missing.
“He’s obviously not doing enough. Now, he’s sitting on the bench and he’s waiting for his chance.”
Barkley started the season like a house on fire and his introduction to life at Villa Park began with that remarkable 7-2 win against Liverpool.
His form continued to rise after that as Villa made one of the more impressive starts to the new Premier League campaign.
But in November, Barkley suffered a hamstring injury which kept him out until the new year and since then he hasn’t been the same player.
The Villa boss was right to drop him but it doesn’t help Barkley’s cause that he is sitting on the bench whilst out on-loan and even missing out on first-team action to a teenager from the club’s academy.
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