(Football news) Ross Barkley left Chelsea last week when he mutually terminated his contract but he didn’t stay a free agent too long as he signed with OGC Nice in Ligue 1. He’s the latest Premier League player to land on the Côte d'Azur, joining the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Kasper Schmeichel, and Nicolas Pépé at the club this summer. Former Chelsea goalkeeper Marcin Bułka is another familiar name who arrived recently. Nice is owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company who is one of Great Britain’s richest people and was touted as a potential buyer for Chelsea and Manchester United as well.
Barkley, who recently turned 28 left Chelsea after a 4.5-year spell, where he managed 100 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing 11 assists. While he remained a peripheral figure for Chelsea even though he went on loan to Aston Villa for a season, he did win the FA Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Europa League. Everton academy product Ross Barkley moved to Chelsea in 2018 after spending eight years with the Toffees. He played in the Europa League final win over Arsenal, but he was on loan at Villa when Thomas Tuchel guided the Blues to the Champions League title last year.
Everton and Villa were reportedly offered the opportunities to sign Barkley this past summer transfer window, but they didn’t reciprocate the interest. Chelsea paid Barkley and made him a free agent as the player preferred a move to France. He's far from the only player that English football fans would recognise in the Nice squad. They've also brought in Premier League experience in Morgan Schneiderlin, Nicolas Pepe from Arsenal, loaned Joe Bryan from Fulham and picked up Mads Bech Sorensen from Brentford also.
“A British blend of talent, technique and aggression topped off with character, the 28-year-old has decided to continue his career at Le Gym,” read a Nice club statement. “Though the summer transfer window closed last Thursday evening in France, he can join the Aiglons as he was out of contract. Welcome Ross!”
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