Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley scored twice and provided an assist as England came from a goal down to beat Montenegro 5-1 yesterday.
The 25-year-old played a key role for his country, creating the first goal for Michael Keane by whipping in a devilish cross from a free-kick, before deflecting a shot from close-range to put his team 2-1 up.
Barkley than wrapped up the win by coolly slotting home just before the hour mark. Chelsea supporters on Twitter couldn’t believe it was the same man who plays for the Blues:
Am seriously shocked
— Samuel (@sammydroid1) 25 March 2019
Barkley is definitely starting the remaining games of the season
— Dr. Prometheus???? (@gabyzico) 25 March 2019
Let’s hope he brings some of that form back after the internationals, we know Sarri is going to use him.
— lylleanthony (@LUDA26191) 25 March 2019
Barkley scores…again!
I’m sorry, who is this man & who’s his twin that plays for Chelsea?
— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) 25 March 2019
Struggling to understand how he plays considerably better. Maybe more room to roam. Similar in the Europa as well.
— CFC Daily (@CFCDaily) 25 March 2019
Some fans were blaming Maurizio Sarri‘s tactics:
That’s what happens when he gets to play with freedom
— steven bridle (@steviebridle77) 25 March 2019
In Chelsea he is not allowed the freedom to roam.
— The_Bulldoza (@Don_cathy) 25 March 2019
Barkley is a counterattack kinda play, sarri ball is killing a, lot of Chelsea players
— Olajide Mubarack ?? (@Aworiambassador) 26 March 2019
Gotta realize it’s Sarri Ball killing it all
— ALR (@AndrewLawrnce) 25 March 2019
Sarri wants his players to maintain triangles as they advance up the pitch. Too much analytics. Players are shackled
— CFC – Business (@ChelseaVulture) 26 March 2019
Barkley’s performance for England does belie his form at club level this season. All three of his Premier League goals this campaign came in a three-game purple patch back in October, with just two more coming in the Europa League since then.
There may be a few reasons behind the contrast in performances such as where he plays for England (Southgate likely offers him more freedom than Sarri), while you have to also consider the opposition. Montenegro are not up to the standards of most Premier League teams.
Still, if he does play up to that level more consistently, he should be given more chances ahead of the likes Mateo Kovacic, especially if he can contribute in front of goal like he does at international level.
