Wednesday 30 October 2019 16:11, UK
Ross Barkley has warned that patience is needed as Maurizio Sarri implements his changes at Chelsea.
Sarri has been in charge at Stamford Bridge for just three weeks, following Antonio Conte's sacking, but the Italian is already preparing for his first league match in charge against Huddersfield this weekend.
The new Chelsea boss has had a difficult start to life in England, losing the Community Shield to Manchester City on Sunday as well as dealing with ongoing transfer speculation linking a number of his first-team squad with moves away from the club.
In particular, Sarri is facing a battle to keep hold of his goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, after the Belgian was absent from training on Monday as he pushes for a transfer to Real Madrid.
Despite that, Barkley is confident that Sarri can make his mark in the Premier League, but says his new manager needs time.
"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 will be hoping to impress Sarri and secure a regular place in the starting line-up, but the 24-year-old also has an ambition to earn a spot back in Gareth Southgate's England squad.
"The [England] team did really well and the team's going far," Barkley said. "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."
