Chelsea boss reacts to Ross Barkley's performance versus Southampton

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has praised the performance of midfielder Ross Barkley during the weekend league win over Southampton.

The England international endured a frustrating 2017/18 season where he was largely sidelined with a hamstring problem and this failed to see him make an impact after sealing the move to Chelsea last winter.

However, with the current campaign, Barkley has shown glimpses of his old self with a number of impressive displays and the most significant of those came at St Mary's on Sunday where he bagged a goal and an assist in a 3-0 victory.

Speaking after that game, Sarri was pleased with the improvement witnessed from the attacker ever since the season began and he wished him the best for the upcoming set of internationals.

"Today he has played really well. I am really happy with him because from the beginning he has improved, day by day, week by week, match by match. I am very happy for him, for the goal, for the national team," he said via Metro.

Barkley has not taken the playing field for England in more than two years but he could now finally get the nod under Gareth Southgate with key players in Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard sidelined through injuries.