Chelsea star makes surprise loan switch to high-flying PL rivals

Chelsea star Ross Barkley joins Aston Villa on a season-long loan

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea star Ross Barkley will spend the 2020/21 season on loan at Aston Villa.

The Englishman will be joining a Villa side riding on a high. They currently occupy the fourth spot after winning their first two games of the season.

Barkley was an unused substitute in our Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. The Blues crashed out on penalties after Erik Lamela cancelled out Timo Werner’s opener in normal time.

Barkley also failed to start any of our three Premier League matches this season. A busy summer has seen the midfielder fall down the Chelsea pecking order.

With the likes of Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech all available at Stamford Bridge, Barkley was deemed surplus to requirements this season.

In some ways, it could prove beneficial for the player himself. Barkley has more chances of playing regularly at Villa Park.

With the Euros set to be held next summer, he has a chance to show Gareth Southgate what he can potentially bring to the England squad.

With just a few days remaining in the window, the squads are taking shape for the 2020/21 campaign. Academy graduate Ruben Loftus-Cheek could also be set for a loan switch in the coming days.

The midfielder has struggled since his return from injury and will benefit from regular game time elsewhere.

More Chelsea News

• PSG are interested in Chelsea trio Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko
• Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger
• Frank Lampard admits Ruben Loftus-Cheek could leave Chelsea on loan

Barkley has been with Chelsea since January 2018. Despite some scintillating performances, the 26-year-old has struggled to nail down a starting berth for himself at Stamford Bridge.

So far, he has made 86 appearances across all competitions, registering 11 goals and 11 assists.