Chelsea to offload midfielder with 33 England caps

Last season, Chelsea broke the all time Premier League summer transfer spend, shelling out over £220 million on the likes of Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, Timo Werner, Edouard Mendy, and Hakim Ziyech. 

It was an astounding window for the Blues who more than made up for their lack of spending from the previous summer which was enforced by a transfer ban.

While Frank Lampard was axed in January with the Blues tumbling down to ninth position, the spree was all worth it as Thomas Tuchel came in and guided the Blues to their second Champions League title.

The German boss worked wonders with Lampard’s signings, now it is looking likely he will be backed by the Chelsea board in what is the former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain manager’s first transfer window with the Blues.

However, it appears their first point of business will be to move some players on, and it looks like Ross Barkley could be sold to Newcastle United according to reports by The Athletic.

Barkey was on loan at Aston Villa last term.

The 27-year-old has fallen perilously down the Chelsea pecking order in midfield and his matters were not helped by a less than productive loan spell with Aston Villa last term.

On his day, he has proven himself to be a very strong and effective midfielder and there have been times where he has impressed particularly under Maurizio Sarri and Frank Lampard.

Unfortunately, the 33-time England international has been unable to convince on a regular basis and, with Chelsea so stacked with options, it’s very hard to see where the opportunities for the ex-Everton star will come.

Newcastle could be a strong destination for Barkley, however, Steve Bruce’s side are also fighting tooth and nail for Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock.

Barkley could be a great plan B for the Magpies or a strong accompaniment to Willock, who impressed by scoring in seven consecutive Premier League games during a loan spell with Newcastle last term.