Chelsea have confirmed that Ross Barkley has left Chelsea by mutual consent and will become a free agent. The 28-year-old's contract was set to expire at the end of the 2022/23 season.
The midfielder joined Chelsea in January 2018 and made 100 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions, with his final competitive match coming against Watford in the final game of last season. His header earned the Blues three points on that occasion to cap off a season where he made 14 appearances.
Barkley struggled to earn a sustained opportunity under Thomas Tuchel after not earning a move away from the club last summer. The midfielder, who has 33 England caps, spent 2020/21 on loan at Aston Villa and netted three times in 24 Premier League appearances but never left a lasting impression.
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The ex-Everton ace went on Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States but was ultimately not handed a number and was left out of Tuchel's first team squad. Barkley has spent time training with the development team since the season started.
Barkley's most successful stint in a Chelsea shirt likely came under Maurizio Sarri as the Blues won the Europa League. The England international scored a penalty in the shootout win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the tournament's semi-final and featured in the victory over Arsenal in the final.
The departure of the midfielder appears to be recognition from the Blues that they would be unable to sell Barkley before the end of his contract, with the decision made to part ways with a player that was not going to impact first-team plans. In the past, Chelsea have regularly sent players on loan while extending their deals despite it looking like they have no first-team future, and the move suggests there has been a change in tact by Todd Boehly and co.
Chelsea said in a statement: "We would like to thank Ross for his contribution to Chelsea and wish him well for the rest of his career."
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