Chelsea boss Conte backs Barkley to earn World Cup spot
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes the club's new signing Ross Barkley can earn a place in England's squad for the World Cup.
Ross Barkley has been backed to go to the World Cup as part of the England squad by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
Joined Chelsea in January after missing first half of season
Barkley was part of the Three Lions squad for Euro 2016 but did not feature at the tournament and has not appeared for his country since.
After missing the first half of the season through injury, Barkley completed a move from Everton to Stamford Bridge earlier this month, for a fee believed to be in the region of £15 million.
And Conte believes Chelsea's new signing has a chance to force his way into Gareth Southgate's plans for Russia 2018.
Conte on Barkley's World Cup chances: "There is time"
"There is time," Conte told reporters ahead of Wednesday's Premier League game against Bournemouth.
"But at the same time in every game when you decide to play for a great team you are in contention with other players and you have to try to exploit every chance that you have to play and to show that you deserve to play.
"I think the time is right to find a place in the World Cup but for sure it won't be easy in the English squad, the squad is very strong."