Maurizio Sarri has revealed Eden Hazard is not yet ready to return to Chelsea’s starting lineup despite his instant impact off the bench in their opening two games of the season.
Ross Barkley has challenged himself to emulate his idol Frank Lampard by breaking the 20-goal barrier from midfield during his Chelsea career.
Chelsea’s new head coach Maurizio Sarri has taken a liking to Barkley, who has started each of the Blues’ opening two Premier League games after making just two appearances under predecessor Antonio Conte following a £15 million move from Everton in January.
Barkley knows he will have to work hard to keep his starting spot in Chelsea’s midfield ahead of loan signing Mateo Kovacic, academy prospect Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Cesc Fabregas and Danny Drinkwater, but the 24-year-old is setting his sights higher by looking to Lampard for inspiration.
“I believe I can hit the 20 goals a season mark,” Barkley said in an interview with the Telegraph. “It’s a lot, but it’s achievable. You see Lamps do it and Stevie [Gerrard] and [Paul] Scholes. It’s just starting in training first, scoring goals there and practising every day.”
Lampard scored 20 or more goals in five consecutive seasons at Chelsea. And Barkley, whose career-best tally is 12, is well aware of the scale of the challenge he has set himself.
“He’s someone to look at with the success he achieved for the club and for himself,” Barkley added of Lampard. “I’ve played with Frank and I saw what he was like around England, and how much of a top professional he was.
“He was an idol of mine from when I was a young lad, watching Champions League games and seeing the goals he scored. If I could achieve half of what he did here, then that would be a success.”
Barkley also revealed that another Chelsea legend, Sarri’s assistant Gianfranco Zola, is helping him to refine his skills in front of goal.
“I like to stay out after training and do some finishing and practice my free kicks and things, and Gianfranco stays out with me,” Barkley said.
“He helps out a lot, telling me little things that used to work for him. He’s still got it.”
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