Ross Barkley believes he is capable of delivering 20 goals a season for Chelsea, allowing him to emulate the achievements of his “idol” Frank Lampard.
The 24-year-old is starting to make his mark at Stamford Bridge following a £15 million ($19m) move from Everton in January.
He arrived in west London nursing a niggling knock and was unable to show his true colours under Antonio Conte.
Maurizio Sarri has, however, offered him a regular role at the start of the 2018-19 campaign and Barkley claims he is ready to become the next talismanic midfield presence for the Blues.
The England international told The Telegraph of his desire to follow in Lampard’s footsteps: “He’s someone to look at with the success he achieved for the club and for himself.
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“I’ve played with Frank and I saw what he was like around England, and how much of a top professional he was.
“He was an idol of mine from when I was a young lad, watching Champions League games and seeing the goals he scored. If I could achieve half of what he did here, then that would be a success.”
Barkley has only reached double figures in terms of goals scored on one occasion to date – recording 12 goals for Everton in 2015-16.
He is yet to open his account for Chelsea across seven appearances, but believes he can be prolific once his duck is broken.
“I believe I can hit the 20 goals a season mark,” added Barkley.
“It’s a lot, but it’s achievable. You see Lamps do it and Stevie G [Steven Gerrard], and [Paul] Scholes. It’s just starting in training first, scoring goals there and practising every day.”
Barkley’s next opportunity to get among the goals will come at St James’ Park on Sunday, with Chelsea set to go in search of a third successive Premier League win when they travel to Newcastle.
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