Roberto Martinez believes that Ross Barkley is now ready to realise his talent at Chelsea.
Martinez formerly coached Barkley during his stint at Everton before taking up the managerial post of the Belgium national squad, whom he led to a third-placed finish at the World Cup last summer.
Having also had managerial spells with Swansea and Wigan in the Premier League, the Spaniard is a popular figure in England and in a recent interview with a British newspaper, Martinez responded to comments made by Barkley in a press conference last October wherein the midfielder appeared to make a slight dig at Martinez’ coaching during his time at Merseyside.
Barkley had stated that prior to playing under Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea, he had not been the recipient of much coaching over the years. When the England midfielder’s statement was put forward to him, Martinez responded by saying that he had valued the intuition and instinct of Barkley as a player, thereby allowing the midfielder to play with a lot more freedom.
“I understand Ross completely. I think as a player you need to be able to be coached. I love the talent Ross has and like many Everton fans I enjoyed seeing the intuitive moments in his career. Now he is ready to realise his talent,” said the Belgium head coach.
“You don’t want to see Ross losing that instinctive element in his play because someone with his technical ability and incredibly physicality needs that moment of freedom.”
However, Martinez also expressed satisfaction at Barkley’s comment that he is now being coached, saying that it is a great indication the midfielder is now also starting to have the mindset of a coach.
“But it’s great when I hear him saying that now he is being coached. It is a great sign that his brain is starting to think like a coach.”
