Frank Lampard wore the number 8 shirt for Chelsea for many years, and that number holds a special place in the hearts of some Chelsea supporters.
But Chelsea’s new number 8 Ross Barkley, has been speaking about how pleased he is to be reunited with his former England team mate, and his desire to score more goals wearing that iconic Chelsea shirt.
It’s never easy to follow in the footsteps of one of the legends of the game, but Barkley wasn’t about to shy away from taking his Chelsea squad number.
Speaking to the Chelsea website, Barkley said: “Of course he was a massive player to wear that number for Chelsea. I was no.8 at Everton too so when the club said it was available for me and I could take it, I thought why not?”
“It was great to take that number and hopefully there are many seasons ahead that I can score loads of goals.”
Barkley was lucky enough to play in the same team as Lampard back in 2014, when the latter was just coming to the end of his international career. But the now 25-year old midfielder had always looked up to his senior counterpart from a young age.
He tells the Chelsea website: “He was a player I looked up to when I was growing up, and then I was lucky enough to play with him as well and take tips from him when we were with England together.”
Fast forward five years, and Barkley is now preparing to partake in his first season playing under Lampard as his head coach, something he looks forward to greatly, as he reveals to the Chelsea website…
“It’s great to have him as manager. He will pass things that used to work for him in games on to us.
“To have him back is brilliant for the players because of the experiences he has had over his career, and it’s going to be really exciting for the fans as well.”
Barkley had a mixed season last year under Maurizio Sarri, but will be hoping to push on under Lampard and a slight change in the style of football.
He tells Chelsea website “We have got a new manager, a legend of the club, and a new playing style, so it’s going to be an exciting season. We’re all thinking positively.”
