Ross Barkley, a former Chelsea midfielder, has shared his reasons for leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer.
The 28-year-old agreed to end his contract at Stamford Bridge in the summer, and he left the Blues to sign with Ligue 1 team OGC Nice.
Taking the No. 11 jersey for the French team, Barkley joined players like Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal, Kasper Schmeichel of Leicester City, Aaron Ramsey of Juventus, and ex-Juve midfielder Aaron Ramsey at the club.
Barkley, a former Everton player, has finally explained why he joined Nice.
The England international claimed that he made the choice after speaking with Jim Ratcliffe, a British businessman, and former Team GB cycling coach Sir Dave Brailsford.
According to talkSPORT, Barkley remarked of Nice, “Nice is an ambitious team.”
“They gave me a project that would last for several years. It is a club that aspires to greatness and wants to dominate the European scene.
“I was able to get in touch with Dave Brailsford, who gave me a tour of the club’s expansion project. Jim Ratcliffe persuaded me to join here as well in order to aid the team’s advancement.
After spending time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United, the England player started his football career in 2010 at Everton.
He advanced to the main team, appearing in 179 games while contributing 27 goals for Everton.
The 28-year-old joined Chelsea in 2018, and in his first three years, he won the FA Cup, the UEFA Europa League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.