Ross Barkley says he’s “sharp” and feels a “connection” with Luton fans – with some even calling the midfielder the best player they’ve ever seen in a Luton shirt.
The England international, who signed on a free in the summer, has been earning rave reviews as he finds his feet with the Hatters.
This Tuesday, on his 30th birthday, Barkley opened his goal account for Town as part of a man-of-the-match display, despite a last-gasp 4-3 defeat at home to Premier League leaders Arsenal.
He’s already been assigned his own song by the Hatters faithful, to the tune of Chaka Khan’s 1983 hit ‘Ain’t Nobody’, and on social media some fans – largely those who weren’t around for the club’s last top-flight spell in that decade – have even installed the Liverpudlian the best player they’ve seen play for the club.
“It’s high praise,” said Barkley, adding: “It’s nice to hear, obviously. I don’t know about the players in the past but I’m just trying to do my best for the club, enjoying my football and helping the players with my experience, and just help the team grow.
“The fans are brilliant. I’m enjoying being at the club, genuinely. I can feel the connection with the fans and the players. It’s good to be a part of.
“The fans are there until the last minute, singing. On the weekend, we got beaten by Brentford and we were clapping them at the end because the support was brilliant. It’s great to see.
“Hopefully, as the season goes on, we do reward them and do stay in the league and they can celebrate that.”
Barkley burst onto the scene as a teenager with Everton in 2010, earning England caps before a £15million big-money move to then champions Chelsea in 2018.
But his time at Stamford Bridge has largely been viewed as unfulfilled and he moved to French Ligue 1 side Nice last year.
His return to England with newly-promoted Luton was seen as one of the surprise signings of the summer, albeit late in the transfer window so he didn’t get a pre-season with the Hatters.
But his performances of late have shown a player now acclimatising to Luton and he said: “For me, it’s always about getting them 90 minutes and then I’ll find my rhythm. If it’s stop-start then it’s always hard as a player.
“Now I’ve got quite a few 90s I feel sharp and I’ll continue to get better as well. I’ll grow. I’ve scored and I’m sure the team will grow as well.”
Now in his first days of his 30s, with a first Town strike under his belt, his next challenge will be to go toe-to-toe with league and European champions Manchester City, when they come to Kenilworth Road on Sunday.
“I feel young though, so it’s no problem,” said Barkley, adding: “I’m just enjoying my football. It was great to score my first goal and I’m feeling positive, confident and just enjoying my football, that’s the main thing.
“My goal’s my goal. It didn’t do anything to the result. It’s a good moment but it doesn’t help because we got beat (by Arsenal).
“Our focus is on winning games so it’s not just like I scored a goal. We’ll reflect on it and hopefully we can put it right Sunday against the European champions.”
Ross Barkley was also praised on the the Luton Town Supporters’ Trust podcast, which you can watch below.
