Chelsea midfielder departs after frustrating spell at Stamford Bridge

Midfielder Ross Barkley has left Chelsea, ending his four-year stay in the capital.

The club confirmed in an official statement that the Englishman had left the club by mutual consent, meaning he will now become a free agent and be available to clubs as a free transfer.

Barkley, 28, joined Chelsea from boyhood club Everton in January 2018 for a fee of around £15 million, but his time at Stamford Bridge didn’t quite go to plan.

He missed the vast majority of the 2017/18 season through injury, making just four appearances for Chelsea, but the following season prompted a return to his finest form.

The midfielder made 48 appearances across all competitions during his first full season with the club, under Maurizio Sarri, but his playing time gradually decreased and he found himself almost entirely out of favour by the end of last season.

Throughout the entirety of last season, the 33-time England international made 14 appearances in all competitions, starting just one Premier League match.

Barkley leaves Chelsea having made 100 appearances for the club

He did, however, score a number of memorable goals for The Blues, including a late equaliser against Manchester United during his first season with the club.

He also netted a sensational solo goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup back in 2020, and scored Chelsea’s final goal of last season, heading the winner against Watford at Stamford Bridge.

Barkley was loaned to Aston Villa for the majority of the 2020/21 season, but after a strong start to life as a Villan, his form dipped and he found himself struggling for game time once again.

He had been linked with a move away from Chelsea this summer, with a return to former club Everton, now under the reign of former Chelsea player and manager Frank Lampard, rumoured to be close both back in January and earlier this summer.

In total, Barkley made exactly 100 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 12 goals and providing 11 assists.

During his four-year stint in west London, he lifted the Europa League, FA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.