Ross Barkley has spoken candidly about a challenging period in his career, revealing how his relationship with alcohol once led to poor decisions and unwanted attention during his time at Chelsea.
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In a detailed interview with The Athletic, the midfielder opened up about the personal battles he faced off the pitch and how a memorable punishment from Frank Lampard became a turning point in his journey. He credited how becoming a parent and seeking professional support as major turning points in his life.
"I haven't drunk since the summer. I'm planning on going without alcohol throughout [the rest of] my career. It has created situations I don't really want happening anymore. "I'm a dad now; I've got more responsibilities. I've got maybe four, five, six or seven years left in football, so I want to make the most of that.
The Aston Villa midfielder also reflected on an incident during his time at Chelsea when a night out landed him in trouble with former manager Frank Lampard. Barkley admitted that going out and drinking too much led to behaviour he regretted, and the club became aware of it. Lampard understood the pressures young players face but still handed him a tough lesson.
“A few times I went out, and if you drink too much, you do things you regret. “I’d go out and have too much to drink, and then it would get back to the club. “One time, I went out on a Sunday in Liverpool and we had a game on a Wednesday. I got videoed, and then it was in the paper. “We [Chelsea] had an away game in France [against Lille] and Frank Lampard was the manager. “He couldn’t really say too much to me, other than learn from it and pick and choose when the right time is to do it, because he knew what it was like as a young lad. “But the punishment was that I travelled with the team, but I wasn’t on the bench. “I had to watch the game on the coach. It was hard to take. That was one occasion that has probably created a perception.”
Barkley is now in the middle of his second spell at Villa Park, having previously spent a successful loan stint with the club before moving on to Lille and later Luton Town.
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