Ross Barkley reveals that his time at Chelsea filled him with “frustration,” which ultimately ignited a positive change in his performance for Luton Town.

Ross Barkley, the talented midfielder for Luton Town, expressed his frustration with his time at Chelsea as he prepared to face his former club at Kenilworth Road.

Barkley, who joined the Blues in 2018 from Everton, failed to make a significant impact during his tenure at Stamford Bridge. Despite making 100 appearances and scoring 12 goals in four and a half years, including a loan spell at Aston Villa, Barkley was eventually released. He then had an unsuccessful season at Nice before finding a new home at Luton.

In an interview with TNT Sports pundit Jermaine Jenas, Barkley revealed that his frustration was the driving force behind his recent upturn in form. He explained that he didn’t receive enough game time at Chelsea and Nice, despite training well and feeling deserving of more opportunities.

However, at Luton, Barkley has been given the chance to showcase his skills and take out his frustrations on the pitch. He credited the manager, Rob Edwards, for providing him with a platform to excel and enjoy his football.

Barkley also discussed the change in his role under Edwards, praising the manager for bringing out the best in him. He revealed that he now plays in a deeper position, which he had experience with in his younger years. Over time, Barkley has learned to be more disciplined while still maintaining some freedom on the pitch. He expressed his enjoyment in this new role, as it allows him to get on the ball, make things happen, and drive into space.

Barkley also acknowledged the impact of his teammate Andros, who brings a different style of play to the team with his directness and ability to deliver early crosses.

Luton Town recently secured back-to-back wins against Newcastle and Sheffield United, lifting them off the bottom of the Premier League table. With their newfound momentum, Barkley and his teammates were eager to face Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea and continue their positive run of form.