Hatters boss Rob Edwards says “surprise” new signing Ross Barkley “has the bit between his teeth” and is available to face former side Chelsea in Friday night’s televised Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
The midfielder left the Blues a year ago for French Ligue 1 side Nice, but his return to England with newly-promoted Luton Town is one of the most leftfield signings of the summer transfer window.
Kept completely under wraps, the 29-year-old England international joined the club a few days before their opening-day 4-1 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Barkley wasn’t in that squad, but he could make a debut appearance in his old west London stomping ground.
Asked if the former Everton academy graduate could feature, boss Edwards said: “He could indeed. He’s been training with us now for a couple of weeks. I’ve been delighted with him, so he’s certainly in the mix.”
Asked about securing his services with little of the transfer window fanfare that might usually accompany a player of Barkley’s calibre, Edwards said: “There was probably an element of surprise. It probably surprised everyone. It came a bit out of the blue, I think. It was something we were working on for a couple of weeks. I’m just really happy that we were able to get it done.
“He fits in, first of all, as a person, but then as a player, he lifts the level.”
Barkley has more than 200 appearances in the Premier League, though the perception is that, at Chelsea, he didn’t live up to the billing that took him to the 2014 World Cup as an Everton youngster.
Edwards said: “He’s got nothing to prove, certainly to me, or anyone. I can’t get in his head, I don’t know how he feels, Ross. I just know he’s hungry and wants to play football. He just loves to play football.
“We can give him football and a supportive environment to allow him to go and flourish.
“He knows more than me about football and how to play. I can hopefully give him a good environment and we can help him continue to get better.
“I know he can really, really help us, but in terms of anything to prove, nah.”
And after assessing his new recruit, Edwards said: “I’ve been really impressed. I’m not surprised at all. He is a top player and like I’ve said before, he’s really hungry.
“He’s got the bit between his teeth and wants to show people as well. So, I think he’ll make a really big impact for us. I’m very excited to see him out on the pitch for us.
“As for how he’s been in the last couple of weeks? Brilliant. He’s settled in straight away, showed real humility, his work-rate has been top and quality is there for all to see.
“With everyone that we’ve brought in, in recent weeks, it’s really raised the level of the group, because people see he’s a really good player and it kicks them on as well. So, it does have a real impact on the group.”
