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Ross Barkley could replace this Chelsea star in starting XI - Sky Sports pundit
ROSS BARKLEY will get plenty of opportunities for Chelsea and could steal Cesc Fabregas’ starting spot.
Stunning long-range efforts from England's Ross Barkley
That is the opinion of Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United defender Danny Higginbotham.
Chelsea completed the signing of Everton midfielder Barkley for £15million this evening.
That was after Blues boss Antonio Conte all but confirmed the deal this afternoon, saying in his pre-match press conference: “For sure we’re talking about a young player, an English player. He can have good prospects for Chelsea.
“I think the club decided on this investment also for his contract.
Ross Barkley could usurp Cesc Fabregas in the Chelsea starting XI
You can play a more defensive midfielder in Bakayoko or you could have a Fabregas or a Barkley in there
“I think the club decided this investment for his contract, I think it is a good opportunity for the club to buy this player.”
Higginbotham says with Conte slightly tweaking his formation of late, Barkley will get more first-team opportunities.
And he reckons it could be a choice between him and Fabregas to slot alongside N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko in a three-man midfield.
“Well I think it’s interesting,” Higginbotham said.
Stunning long-range efforts from England's Ross Barkley
Ross Barkley is set to join Chelsea from Everton for £15million
“If you look at Chelsea now they do play more of a 3-5-1-1 instead of the 3-4-3, so there’s three positions in that central midfield area.
“You’re always going to have Kante there sitting and dependant on the toughness of the game, you can play a more defensive midfielder in Bakayoko or you could have a Fabregas or a Barkley in there.
“So it’s options for him but I think if he goes there and shows his worth then there’s no reason why he won’t be playing in that team.”
Barkley is yet to play this season due to a long-term hamstring injury.
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