The winger has been praised for his impact as the Blues pursue the Champions League standings for next season.
Ross Barkley believes Chelsea teammate Christian Pulisic has benefited from the three-month break at stake due to the coronavirus outbreak as he used the time to get in shape.
The 21-year-old American men’s national team star has been in stunning form since Chelsea’s restart after scoring twice and earning two penalties in his team’s first five games since returning to action.
The Blues pair were heavily involved in the 3-0 win over Watford on Saturday night and Barkley has seen a different side of Pulisic after getting in shape during the game stoppage.
“Since he came back from the running of the bulls he has been on fire,” Barkley told reporters at Stamford Bridge. “He had a couple of discomforts earlier in the season, and he didn’t get much rest last summer before joining us.” . So maybe this break has done you a world of good.
“Since coming back, he has been on fire. He has been scoring great goals in training and now he has been scoring in games.”
“He is a very difficult player to defend because he is very direct. He also has a lot of confidence. He is always ready to try to face a player. It is a real problem for defenders.”
Chelsea had a flaw in their recent form after losing 3-2 at West Ham midweek, but they have generally found a good rhythm since their return and have won four of their five games.
Barkley has enjoyed regular action, getting one goal and one assist against Watford for three goals and five assists in his past 10 starts.
It’s a big change for a player who had injury problems earlier in the season, while making headlines for the wrong reasons due to his off-field behavior.
However, manager Frank Lampard has left the incidents behind him to lean heavily on the former Everton star and Barkley himself has admitted he has done wrong.
“We are all human, we make mistakes and I am no exception. But it did not take my attention away from my football. It never did. I am a professional and I always work hard,” he said before speaking about his recent gaming career under his former partner. England team and current manager.
“I’ve felt fit and worked very hard during the lockdown to make sure I was ready. I feel like it’s paying off now because I feel really fit and really good. I just want to continue this now. It’s great that the goals are also entering.
“You’re always happy when there is a final product for your game. We’ve been working on that in training and it’s great when it’s worth it in games. With the players we have like Mason [Mount] and Christian in the team, we will always get goals. “
Chelsea’s ambition this season focuses on qualifying for next season’s Champions League and they will have to finish in the top four to do so.
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The victory over the weekend put them back in fourth place, two points ahead of Manchester United and five points ahead of the Wolves. Meanwhile, Leicester is one point ahead of Chelsea in third place when four teams battle for two places.
“We were not at our best in West Ham,” he concluded of the match. “We needed to win again.” It was important that we acted tonight and we did. It was a good overall performance, and we needed it.
“It was important because the teams were beating us in the search for places for the Champions League and we need to put some space between them and us.” We have a lot to play for now, also with the FA Cup. ”
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