Sky Sports pundit: Everton reunion with Chelsea misfit Ross Barkley could emulate Wilfried Zaha
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Frank Lampard could look to bring former star Ross Barkley back to Everton this summer according to former captain Kevin Campbell.
The 28-year-old left Goodison Park four-and-a-half years ago to move to Stamford Bridge, where he spent a season under the current Toffees boss, and after falling completely out of favour he is due to be available during the window – 90min reported on 24 June that Chelsea were ready to offer him to West Ham as part of an exchange deal for Declan Rice.
The one time Goodison hero’s relationship with the fans soured when he left for £15million in January 2018 only months after turning down the same move for a much larger fee, but Sky Sports pundit Campbell believes that he is still a “quality player” and cited Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha’s unsuccessful stint at Manchester United as precedent for why it could work.
“Look, he’s a quality player,” Campbell said, speaking exclusively to Goodison News.
“Unfortunately he’s never really hit the heights [at Chelsea].
“But we’ve seen these things happen before – a player goes away, doesn’t quite fulfil it, and comes back.
“He’s still young enough to make a real big impression as well.
“We saw a young Wilfried Zaha go to Man United didn’t we? Didn’t really hit it off and went back to Palace and he’s flourished.
“So it can happen and maybe it’s something that Frank Lampard will look at.
“Because he is a fantastic player.”
If the price is right it would be pointless for Lampard to not at least consider this one, and were he to come back and make an impact there has to be scope for him to win supporters round.
Richarlison may have been sold to bring some money in but there aren’t huge amounts to spend, and with the attacking midfielder way down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge he is unlikely to command a massive fee.
The club are in the market for that sort of player as they are now after Wolves youngster Morgan Gibbs-White for big money, but if that doesn’t come off there are worse alternatives that Barkley.