Chelsea have terminated Ross Barkley's contract by mutual consent. (GETTY Images)
Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking to Football Insider (h/t Glasgow Live), spoke about fringe Chelsea midfielder and Celtic transfer target, Ross Barkley, and called the 28-year-old’s potential transfer to the Scottish club a “good move”.
The former Evertonian has had a tough spell at Stamford Bridge, playing only 100 times for the Blues in over four years. The Englishman had a good run of games at Aston Villa on loan but failed to bring the same form to Chelsea.
With Ruben Loftus-Cheek and particularly Mason Mount at the helm at Stamford Bridge currently, Barkley wouldn’t be able to play as much and he would be keen to play week in, week out in the prime of his career. Conor Gallagher rising through the ranks also pushes the Scouser’s case further down the pecking order.
Agbonlahor meanwhile lauds this potential move for Barkley and also added that he hasn’t “lived up to the hype” at the Bridge. Scotland would be somewhere he can go and “get some good form under his belt”, said the former Aston Villa man.
“Premier League clubs will be put off by him, to be honest. I don’t think Premier League clubs would look at him at the moment, to be honest. He is a 28 year old who needs to enjoy his football.”
“Scotland is somewhere he can go and get some good form under his belt. It would be a good move for him, somewhere he can step it up. He’s a 28-year-old who needs to get back to enjoying his football.”
As he rightly pointed out, Barkley would not be a guaranteed starter in most Premier League squads, bar a few. Only 28 and in his prime physical years, he would want to be there playing most games. While the Premiership may arguably be not at the same level in terms of quality as the Premier League, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Barkley make the switch there.
His time at Chelsea is in such a tough state proven by the fact that he hasn’t even been assigned a squad number so far into the season. He did not travel with the squad for the pre-season, expecting a move away from the Bridge. Barkley only played six games last season in the league, netting one goal.
From Celtic’s perspective, they would hope to retain the Scottish Premiership title after snatching it back from Rangers last season and gain qualification to the UEFA Champions League. Ange Postecoglou, the Celtic gaffer would want to add to his squad as well.
Chelsea would aim to have a better season than last time around wherein they finished third to Manchester City and Liverpool. If they are still targeting players this summer, there are hardly better ways to ensure an influx of cash than selling fringe players.
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