Dean Smith admitted there had been no discussions with Chelsea about turning Ross Barkley’s love move to Aston Villa permanent.
Dean Smith admitted there had been no discussions with Chelsea about turning Ross Barkley’s love move to Aston Villa permanent.
Speaking in his post-match press conference to the Birmingham Mail, after Villa’s Premier League defeat to Manchester City last night, Smith was quizzed whether contact had been made about Barkley’s future.
He said: “No, Ross Barkley came in on loan at the start of the season. Obviously, Frank (Lampard) was the manager at the time we did a deal to bring him in on loan.
“That’s where it was. He’s got another two years left on his contract at Chelsea and that’s not been discussed at all.”
Barkley joined Smith’s side last September on a season-long loan away from Stamford Bridge
Life started very brightly in claret and blue for the 27-year-old, scoring in his first two league games.
But a hamstring injury suffered in late November hindered his progress and he hasn’t looked the same player since recovery.
At one stage, it seemed Villa would snap Chelsea’s hand off to sign Barkley indefinitely.
That now seems a fading possibility, especially with the campaign rapidly coming to a close.
Unless there is a miraculous turnaround in fortunes, the England midfield is destined to join up with Thomas Tuchel’s team for pre-season.
Except if another club comes in for Barkley before he returns to Cobham.
TEAMtalk reported that West Ham United manager David Moyes was a fan of the Chelsea outcast and would be interested in moving him across London.
Moyes gave Barkley his first-team debut at Everton, so their relationship is already pretty firm.
The rejuvenation of Jesse Lingard at West Ham should be an example to all out of sync players that form is only temporary.
Plenty of tinkering will likely be done to Tuchel’s side over the summer and Barkley may well be another spare part again.
Being a tool for the Hammers could be handy, particularly if they qualify for Europe.
Chelsea will hope to end those dreams when they take on West Ham this Saturday.
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