Ross Barkley moved to Chelsea from Everton during the January transfer window for a fee of £15 million and it already looks like the English International’s career at Stamford Bridge is going downhill.
It has been 57 days since Barkley made an appearance for the first team – the last one coming during a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth during the end of January.
When the 24-year-old made the switch to Chelsea many had questioned the move given the fact that he had not made a single appearance for Everton up until that point in the season owing to a hamstring injury.
And it seems it is the same injury that has been stopping him from making a comeback to the first team at Chelsea.
Many rumours had also claimed that Antonio Conte was not at all keen to bring the attacking midfielder on board given his long list of injury setbacks.
Now Ross Barkley’s career has hit a new low after he had to play for the development squad in a game against Derby County at St. George’s Park to prove his fitness.
And in this game too, the 29-year-old failed to play the full 90 minutes and was withdrawn in the half-hour mark in what is currently being termed as a precautionary measure.
We're back underway in PL2 action away at Derby, where #CFCDev lead 2-0 at the start of this second half. pic.twitter.com/lmspdkiuqm
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 31, 2018
As soon as this news broke out, the Chelsea fans have shown their sympathy and support towards the English International.
Ross Barkley is involved with our Development squad in their match this afternoon, Hope He recovers quickly and fit for selection very soon. #CFC
— CHELSEA ALL THE WAY (@nbsulymanFC) March 31, 2018
Ross Barkley has gone from being one of the brightest English prospects to playing against Derby u23s in the space of 3 years… https://t.co/t1DxMPHtDZ
— ● (@aaron_dunkley99) March 31, 2018
Ross Barkley is playing for our development squad and yer da thought he will make the WC team
— Marlboro Sarri (@HakunahMorata) March 31, 2018
Ross Barkley was tipped to join Chelsea during the summer but he changed his mind during the final few hours of deadline day claiming to give his career at Everton one more shot. But when his chances of playing in the first team did not get any better, he chose to join Chelsea in the hopes of getting more game time and making it to the England squad for the World Cup in Russia.
But as things stand even if Ross Barkley manages to get himself fully fit, he would find it really hard to break into the Chelsea first team let alone be in the squad for the World Cup.