Ross Barkley Chelsea
Ross Barkley has opened up about his emotional transfer from Everton to Chelsea in 2017, shedding light on the circumstances that led to his departure and the support he received from former manager David Moyes. Barkley, who was sold for £30 million after declining to renew his contract with Everton, shared his experiences in a recent interview.
Ross Barkley said: “I was crying. It changed my life. But I had to make a decision because when I left, Everton were dipping. It was a little bit toxic at that point. There was just so much change in a short space of time. Being away from my mum, sister and friends helped me grow. Maybe I wouldn’t have grown the way I did if I had stayed at Everton.”
Barkley further elaborated on the challenges he faced during his time at Everton, including the reactions from fans and the personal growth he experienced after leaving the club.
He said: “I remember being back home and in my car at the traffic lights. Fans would be shouting at me. There was one time when a man had his kids in the back and his missus next to him. He was driving, but put his window down to shout things at me.”
Reflecting on his early days at Everton, Barkley expressed gratitude for the support he received from figures like Duncan Ferguson and Alan Stubbs, whom he described as father figures due to his upbringing in a single-parent household.
He said: “It was difficult. I’d have to get two buses, sometimes three, to training. I’d have to wait outside the training ground. It could be 9pm, just waiting for a bus on my own to get back home because my mum had to mind my little sister, who is seven years younger. This was character-building for me. Once I got to a certain age, Everton would help financially with taxis and my coaches would drop me home after training.”
Barkley also recounted a memorable gesture from David Moyes, who visited him after he broke his leg to offer reassurance and support.
He said: “When I broke my leg, David Moyes came round. He wanted to reassure me that the club were going to do everything they could to get me back where I was and progress into the first team. It was around 2pm and he turned up in a nice car. It was half-term and there were 20 or 30 kids outside our two-bedroom house. They would all be looking through the windows, trying to see Moyes. I appreciated that he took the time to be with me and my mum. He actually paid for me to go on holiday – I’d never been on holiday before that. Me, my mum and sister went to Tenerife to have a mental break.”
Barkley’s reflections provide a poignant insight into the complexities of his transfer and the personal challenges he faced. His account highlights the significant impact of Moyes’ kindness during a pivotal moment in his career, illustrating the lasting influence of supportive figures in professional football.
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