Ross Barkley has said that he is expecting a hostile reception from the Everton fans who once sang his name, as he prepares to face his former side for the first time this weekend.
Barkley swapped the North West of England for the West side of London back in January, joining Chelsea in a cut-price £15 million deal.
While he made very little impact during his first half-a-season at Chelsea due to a long-standing hamstring injury, the 24-year-old has been one of standout performers for the Blues this season in what has been an unbeaten start to the season for Maurizio Sarri’s men.
Next up for Chelsea in the Premier League is the visit of Everton on Sunday afternoon, although boyhood Toffee fan Barkley is not expecting a friendly welcome from the travelling Toffees.
“I don’t think it will be the best,” he told Sky Sports.
“There might be a few who might say a few good things.”
However, despite expecting a negative reaction from the Everton faithful, Barkley did insist that he is excited to see his former teammates again.
“I’m not nervous, I’m excited to play against my former club and team-mates – I understand how some of them play, so that could be an advantage for me.
“On the day I might get a few nerves as it will feel a bit strange. I’m looking forward to catching up with some of the staff there who I used to get on really well with.”
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