How will Ross Barkley fit into the Chelsea team?

Rahul Warrier looks at where Antonio Conte’s new signing will best make his mark at Stamford Bridge in World Cup year

Ross Barkley was once seen as the future of English football, with many comparing him to a former Goodison Park protege, Wayne Rooney. Just like England and Manchester United’s record goalscorer, Barkley was a homegrown product, and after his breakthrough in 2013, he continued to progress.

But then Dele Alli arose from the third division to steal the pretender’s crown and emerge as England’s starlet at Tottenham. That Alli, positionally similar, moved to a progressive club while Barkley was mired at Everton was not lost on anyone. The fear was that Barkley would go down the road of lost potential a la Jack Wilshere – but his £15m move to Chelsea halts that.

Barkley nearly moved in the summer, with a £30m deal collapsing on deadline day. The reasons for that vary between a failed medical, his desire for more time as well as Tottenham’s desire. As he recovered from a long-term injury, there was no doubt he would leave in the winter, rather than on a free in the summer.

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While Barkley is no longer a fresh-faced prodigy, he is still a steal considering his age and nationality. There is certainly value to his transfer, even if there are doubts about how he will fit in at Stamford Bridge.

He provides Antonio Conte with an extra man in midfield, a much-needed fillip considering the Italian’s gripes with recruitment and squad depth. While the 3-4-3 was hailed as the tactical masterclass of the previous season, Conte has moved away from that this season, retaining more flexibility in the midfield and attack.

That switch bodes well for Barkley. In a 3-4-3, he may have been more unlikely to get into the midfield duo alongside N’Golo Kante, but in a midfield three, for example, he is more likely to find himself in that before. Barkley is certain to be above Danny Drinkwater in the pecking order, in essence leaving him to compete with Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko in the battle for a starting spot.

The important point to consider here is Barkley’s versatility. He doesn’t necessarily have to play in the midfield, as he can assume one of the two attacking midfield roles in a 3-4-2-1, competing with Willian and Pedro.

He can assume the same role in a 3-5-1-1 when Eden Hazard is unavailable, or assume one of the three central midfield roles as well.

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It is this versatility that no doubt appealed to Conte, giving him a slew of options across the midfield and attacking third. He could be the foil to Kante’s game, and those abilities he once displayed regularly remain match-defining.

Barkley is a confidence player, one who requires man-management to bring out the best in him. Ronald Koeman was certainly not one but Conte is, evidenced by his elevation of David Luiz from erratic defender to a solid, dependable presence. This is certainly a project for the Italian, and given his persistence, one likely to appeal to him.

The caveat to this is that this isn’t a deal to truly appeal to fans: He is no foreign superstar, he hasn’t arrived for big money and recency bias means he is ability has faded from mind. He doesn’t have to be though; there is value in an Englishman in the squad and Barkley provides more than Drinkwater.

The low transfer fee makes it a win-win for Chelsea. If he succeeds, it’s a bargain, while if he doesn’t, they should still be able to recoup their money. Whatever issues Chelsea fans have with the transfer business is with the Chelsea board, not with Barkley himself. He does not improve the starting XI yet, but this is a project of untapped potential, that could, if all goes well, yield much more.

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His recovery from injury has to continue, and he will have to wait for his chance. But he is ready-made to be moulded by Conte; if he can harness that potential and improve his defensive game, Barkley could eventually become a game-changer.

This is his moment to shine, and he will have to be decisive and take the chance. It will decide if he can make the belated step up, and find a place in England’s World Cup squad. It is the perfect opportunity for him. For Chelsea, it is the ideal winter deal: cheap, quick and without hassle. The real losers from this are Everton.

Barkley remains an intriguing project and his development under Conte will be one to watch. This is a deal that requires patience, even if that doesn’t come easily to fans. It certainly adds a sub-plot to Chelsea going forward.