Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has been in contact with Ross Barkley about the midfielder’s long career at Stamford Bridge. The Blues star sealed a one-season loan at Aston Villa in the summer moving window after lined up after Chelsea’s newcomers.
Barkley has scored goals for Chelsea in 86 appearances since joining Everton Blues in January 2018.
He made three appearances for Chelsea this season before making the loan at Villa, with Brighton and Liverpool in the Premier League, before scoring a goal in a 6-0 win over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
However, he allowed him to move on loan to Villa after that, and is already making a good impression in the Midlands.
Dean Smith’s team is sixth in the Premier League, with Barkley a key role in impressive victories against Leicester, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Everton midfielder’s impressive form at Villa Park has noticed new calls for him to be called to the England squad, such as Chelsea to give him normal minutes next season.
And according to Eurosport, the Blues boss, Lampard, has contacted the player to explain how inspired he has been with his performances so far.
He claims the door remains open for Barkley at Stamford Bridge if the rest of his loan continues in the same way.
Despite having N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic as midfield options, former Arsenal star Paul Merson says Lampard would send Barkley on loan.
“Frank Lampard made a mistake sending Ross Barkley on loan, she will be a superstar for Aston Villa,” Merson told the Daily Star.
“What a signature it is. Actually, I can’t, if I’m honest. How Barkley’s not a member of the Chelsea team beats me. He’s a huge talent. Letting it go like this, especially on some other Premier League team, is Frank’s damaging game.
“If Barkley runs around the court and starts taking her aside for Villa, then serious questions will be asked about why Lampard let him go.
“Chelsea have many midfielders. But Jorginho and Matteo Kovacic can’t beat other people like Ross Barkley. “
Barkley himself has already admitted that he is modeling his own in Lampard and has praised Chelsea legend.
“For me, as a young player, you appreciate the player’s tastes for what he achieves,” Barkley told talkSPORT this summer.
“When you watched the Children’s Day game, you saw the clumsiest scoring a lot of goals.
“Being a midfielder myself, you have your game in the likes of Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard, the legends of England and the Premier League.
Speaking of Lampard, he added: “The gaffer has relationships with all the players, adding myself.
“He encourages us to play our game and in practice, he encourages us to get on the surface as a midfielder, like me, Ruben [Loftus-Cheek], Mason [Mount] to check the goal creation and the defensive team as well. “