Ross Barkley joins 7 ex-Premier League stars as…

Ross Barkley joins 7 ex-Premier League stars as Chelsea flop commits to Ligue 1 project

Nice have continued their raid on the Premier League by signing ex- Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley after the midfielder was released last month.

The 28-year-old left the Blues by mutual consent following a difficult four-and-a-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge, where he made just 58 Premier League appearances in total. He joined the club in a £20million deal from Everton but failed to live up to expectations despite playing under four different managers.

Barkley was brought by Antonio Conte in January 2018, before Maurizio Sarri was appointed later that year. But Barkley arguably had his best season in a Chelsea shirt under Sarri's stewardship, playing 48 times as they lifted the Europa League.

However, he wasn't fancied in Frank Lampard's second season in charge and spent a short time out on loan at Aston Villa, before Thomas Tuchel decided he wasn't part of his plans this season.

Now, he has decided to move across the continent to France with Nice as he tries to reignite his career. Barkley is the fourth English-based player to make the switch to Nice this summer.

Kasper Schmeichel was the first to make the move to Nice as he left Leicester City after 11 years at the East Midlands side. The Dane became a club legend after helping the Foxes to the Premier League title and the FA Cup, before deciding to pursue a new adventure in his career at the age of 35.

The midfielder has joined French club Nice (Twitter/ogcnice)

This was before Joe Bryan, Mads Bech Sorensen and Nicolas Pepe all made the move from Fulham, Brentford and Arsenal respectively. It has been a major summer of change at Nice, with ex-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey also adding to their new arrivals after he was allowed to leave Juventus on a free transfer.

Sofiane Diop was their most expensive addition as he joined from Monaco for £20million, while highly-rated striker Gaetan Laborde bolstered their front line. Ex-Fulham and Southampton ace Mario Lemina and former Manchester United and Everton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin also ply their trade at the French side.

Barkley was announced during Nice's 1-0 defeat against Monaco in Ligue 1. The only goal of the game was scored by Breel Embolo as Nice remain winless after five matches. The England international will be hoping to turn their fortunes around when he returns to action.