Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has reminded England manager Gareth Southgate of the existence and progress of midfielder Ross Barkley after the former Everton star has produced fine displays this season to stay in the Blues first team.
Barkley has endured a torrid one year after failing to get many games in the last campaign due to injury. He began the season at Everton, but due to his groin injury in the summer of 2017, the 24-year old failed to get any game time at the Goodison Park before signing for Chelsea in January.
The England international failed to go past the four games he managed under Antonio Conte by the end of the second half of last season.
This campaign, however, Barkley has featured in eight games in all competitions, as Maurizio Sarri has gone with a three-man midfield. Sarri initially, preferred to play Barkley on the left of the three midfielders before the emergence of loan star Mateo Kovacic.
The England youngster, however, still manages to convince his Italian coach to get minutes from the bench in big games including last Saturday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Sarri now says Barkley is ready for a return to the Three Lions after missing the World Cup last summer and the recent call-ups for the international friendlies.
Sarri on Barkley for England: "I think so. I think he can improve even more and return into the national team. I think so [he is playing enough to be called by Southgate] he has played more than last season in two months." #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 3, 2018
Sarri on Barkley: "I think he can become a great player" #cfc
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 3, 2018
