Joe Cole backs Ross Barkley to come good at Chelsea | OneFootball

Joe Cole reckons that midfielder Ross Barkley is on the cusp of realising his full potential at Chelsea.

Barkley broke through as a teenager at Everton before his progress at Goodison Park was stalled by poor form and injury.

The 26-year-old had struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since moving from the Toffees just over two years ago.

However, former Blues star Cole believes that just prior to games being suspended because of the coronavirus crisis Barkley was really beginning to make his presence felt in Frank Lampard’s side.

“Ross has improved. He is a top player. I’m a big fan of Ross Barkley. Always have been,” Cole, who is now an academy coach at Chelsea, told The Star.

“He’s been a bit less spoken about because of Jack Grealish and James Maddison and Mason Mount. But he’s done a terrific job at Chelsea.

“The last two games, against Liverpool and Everton, he was brilliant. Absolutely fantastic.

“I’ve always thought he was a top player and I think he’ll be at Chelsea for many, many years.

“Now the challenge for Ross is can he keep doing that, can he be that player who drives Chelsea on to win trophies, like his manager was? I think he can.”

Barkley scored in the 2-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool before haunting his old club by providing two assists in Chelsea’s 4-0 destruction of Everton in the league.