Chelsea’s Ross Barkley feels he is in the right place to prove he has an international future and is determined to win back his England place.
The 24-year-old left Everton in January after 179 appearances for the Merseyside club although injury prevented the midfielder from playing during his final four months with the Toffees.
His career appeared to have stalled as he enjoyed only four outings for the Blues in the second half of last season and missed out on the World Cup as a result.
It was no surprise that Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate overlooked him for Russia as the talented schemer has not played for England for almost two-and-a-half years, while he was last in the squad in March 2017.
Barkley has yet to play a single minute under Southgate but, far from wallowing in his own self-pity, the Liverpool-born star is relishing the chance to show what he can do in west London.
“These things happen in football and you have got to take them,” he said. “I was injured and then I wasn’t in the squad. But you have just got to react in the right, positive way. I feel like I have done that. It’s important I let my football do the talking now.”
There were other clubs interested in Barkley but he opted to move to Chelsea and the fact that he now plies his trade at such a high-profile outfit is seen as a bonus.
“I have got a platform. I’m at a massive club in Chelsea and we are going to challenge for all the titles this season,” he added.
“I believe that. I want to let my feet do the talking for my club and, if that happens, I believe I will be back on the international scene sooner rather than later.”
