Noel Whelan has urged Chelsea star Ross Barkley to rejoin Everton in January.
Barkley signed for Chelsea from Everton back in 2018 as one of England’s hottest prospects, but he has failed to live up to expectations, having only mustered 11 goals and 11 assists in 94 appearances for the west London club.
The 27-year-old spent last season on loan at Aston Villa before returning to Stamford Bridge, where he has made just one Premier League start so far this term, with the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all ahead of him in the pecking order.
But despite his lack of playing time, Whelan believes that Barkley is showing signs of improvement and a move back to Everton would help get his career back on track.
‘We’re seeing a different Ross Barkley right now to the one we saw at Aston Villa last season – he’s got his mojo back,’ he told Football Insider.
‘He’s got that hunger; he wants to impress when he comes off the bench at Chelsea – he’s pressing and hustling the opposition really well.
‘He’s also capable of getting into that final third and causing teams problems in there, as well.
‘I was disappointed with his performances at Aston Villa, he had a real opportunity to make the grade there and step into that Grealish-shaped hole this season.
‘He’s not hit the heights of his potential, but he could get back to his best back at Everton.’
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