Valentin Barco says midfield switch transformed career and set up Chelsea move | OneFootball

Chelsea's £34m summer signing Valentin Barco says a switch from left-back to central midfield reshaped his career and set up his move to Stamford Bridge.

The 22-year-old played 92 per cent of his minutes in midfield for Strasbourg last season, making 58 appearances with 3 goals and 11 assists.

"I think the change of position changed my life. It helped me enormously to get back into playing, to be an important part of the team, to return to the Argentina national team, to go to the World Cup, and now to be able to return to the Premier League." He was speaking to ESPN.

"I feel comfortable playing in midfield. I love it because you get on the ball a lot, and that way you control the game and set the pace, so I think that period was very important for my career and my life."

He now faces fierce competition for places in Xabi Alonso's midfield as Chelsea prepare for a demanding Premier League and domestic cup schedule. Securing regular minutes at Stamford Bridge could be crucial to his Argentina spot before the upcoming international break.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”