Chelsea Football Club has today completed the signing of Ross Barkley from Everton. The 24-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract and will wear the number 8 shirt.
Conte warned it would take Barkley time to find his feet after the 24-year-old joined from Everton for £15m on a five-and-a-half-year contract.
Barkley has only just returned to training following a hamstring injury that needed surgery and has kept him out all season; his last appearance was for Everton on 21 May at Arsenal. But there was excitement and anticipation in Conte’s words as he reflected on what feels like a coup.
Chelsea were poised to pay £35m for Barkley last summer and the four-month delay in concluding the deal has cost Everton £20m in transfer revenue. The player’s contract there had been due to expire at the end of the season and, with Barkley showing no inclination to renew at his boyhood club, Everton were forced to reluctantly accept the fee.
