Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has backed Ross Barkley to make the England squad for the 2018 World Cup after the midfielder completed a move from Chelsea to the Toffees last week.
Barkley has yet to play this season due to a hamstring injury and will need to play as regularly as possible during the second half of the season if he wants to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s plans for Russia 2018.
Chelsea managed to sign Barkley for a bargain fee as his contract with Everton was set to expire at the end of the season and he will be hoping to win major silverware with his new club.
“We have five months to show he deserves a call with the national team for the World Cup,” Conte told Sky Sports News. “I hope [he gets one], because it means he will do very well with us.
“It’s important for me to see him, to understand his physical condition,” the Italian added when asked about a timescale for the midfielder’s return to full fitness. “My hope is to have this player [available] very quickly.
“He can play in midfield, if we play with three midfielders, or number 10 if we play 3-4-3. Before playing we must be sure that he is into our idea of football. Otherwise, it’s a problem for him and it’s a problem for the rest of the team.”
