Barkley Calls for Patience

Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley has urged the club’s fans to be patient when they begin the new season under coach Maurizio Sarri.

The former Napoli boss has been at the helm for just three weeks, after the Blues board took their time in eventually deciding to sack Antonio Conte. Sarri enjoyed some success at Napoli as he tried to dethrone Juventus but he will be under even more pressure at Stamford Bridge.

After a couple of pre-season friendlies, Sarri is now preparing for the opening game of the season against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The Terriers are 6.00 to grab all three points, while the draw is priced at odds of 3.80. A Chelsea win is expected at odds of 1.60 but Barkley has urged the supporters to be patient as they try to find their feet under their new boss.

“If you look back to now in three months, you’ll see a big difference,” Barkley said. “You’ve just got to be a patient with getting to know the new manager’s way.”

Barkley barely featured last season under Conte due to selection woes and injury problems. He missed out on the World Cup as a result but he is determined to make his mark this time around. Barkley added:

“The [England] team did really well and the team’s going far. You can see the direction the team’s going in. Hopefully the performances that I put in early on I can get back in the squad. “That’s my aim, but to be doing well for Chelsea is first thing.”