Tuchel heaps praise on underused 27-year-old Chelsea ace despite Burnley debacle

Thomas Tuchel praises Ross Barkley’s impact despite Burnley draw

Talking after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Burnley (h/t Mirror) on Saturday, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel hailed midfielder Ross Barkley‘s impact in the match despite Blues dropping two points in the Premier League encounter.

Barkley made his first Premier League start this season after he was surprisingly named on the team sheet at Stamford Bridge. Since signing from Everton in 2018, Barkley has found it impossible to break into Chelsea’s starting XI over the years.

The English midfielder made the switch from Everton to Chelsea for an initial fee of £15m plus add-ons, but things haven’t gone according to plan at the Bridge for him.

He spent last season in exile on loan at Aston Villa and was certain to leave Chelsea in the summer but things never materialised and he had to stay put with the west Londoners.

However, 27-year-old got an opportunity on Saturday to show his talent and according (h/t Mirror) to Tuchel, he made the most of it.

“We changed a bit the shape with the front three and played with a number ten in the space behind the Burnley number six. Ross has made a big impact in our matches when he came in.”

“He had a good match and if you see him in training, his left foot is maybe even more precise. We appreciate where he is right now and he’s worked very hard since pre-season.”

Barkley has been linked with a move away from the club since last summer and he might be seizing these opportunities to impress his suitors. The English midfielder has been linked with a move to Leeds of late.

Former Tottenham Hotspur player Michael Dawson, in October, had already said that Leeds and Barkley would be a perfect match for each other.

“Barkley would be a good signing. You talked about the depth in the side, it is very small.”

Although Barley got his chance against Burnley, once the likes of Mason Mount, Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner regain full fitness, it would be extremely tough for the midfielder to find a place in the Blues squad. A move away from Chelsea seems like the best move for all parties, in the short, as well as the long term.