Ross Barkley - On his travels

This wasn't how it was supposed to be for Ross Barkley.

Once again he cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

The midfielder has to date only made three appearances for the Blues since his cut-price January move from Everton.

Going on the team's past few games, he could well end the season with just 131 minutes under his belt in such an important year for the player.

There will also be no place in England's World Cup squad for him come the end of the season.

Gareth Southgate made that evidently clear during the Three Lions' friendlies against Italy and Holland in March, yet barely any eyebrows were raised.
"I think Ross has just not been fit," said the manager. "He went (to Chelsea) on the back of a long-term injury, quite a serious one, and only had a couple of matches really.

"So I don't think he's available for selection now anyway, so he's unfortunate in the way that has played out in this year in particular.

"But if he can get back playing and playing regularly I'm sure, post-summer... It's going to be difficult for him I think to get the number of games he needs now. But we know he's a talented player."
Compared to the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Michael Ballack by former Everton manager Roberto Martinez, Barkley is undoubtedly a talented player.

While the duo were performing for their country at the height of their careers, Barkley will be watching on as England play in Russia this June.
Inexplicably left on the sidelines by Roy Hogdson for the entirety of England's abysmal Euro 2016 campaign in France, the midfielder has not made the impression on the international stage that many expected.

There is also the real danger that he could miss out on a third major tournament come 2020 if his Chelsea career doesn't get going.

For a player of Barkley's immense talent, that simply cannot happen.

His form at club level will see him win his place back in the international setup, but at the moment it's hard to see where the chances are going to come at Stamford Bridge.

Of course it is worth remembering that the player is coming back from a horrendous hamstring injury, yet it is also plain to see that Antonio Conte doesn't fancy him despite labelling him as the "complete player" when he arrived.
Named in the 18-man squad against Liverpool and in the recent wins against Swansea, Southampton and Burnley, Barkley has been left watching on from the bench.

There have been no short cameos and even Tiemoue Bakayoko was preferred over him in Wales last weekend.

You certainly couldn't blame him if he's having second thoughts over his January move.

Chelsea have three games remaining and it is imperative that he is given minutes on the pitch to give him a much-needed confidence boost.

That could well come on the final day at Newcastle if the Blues have nothing to play for.

What happened to his ambition?