Ross Barkley didn't sign for Chelsa because Conte had his phone off!
The Everton player backed out of the move at the last minute after the clubs had agreed a fee
According to Joey Barton, Barkley was concerned that he couldn't speak to Conte about his role
The Everton midfielder almost joined Chelsea in the last days of the transfer window but, against all expectations, the player turned down the move after the clubs agreed a €38 million fee.
Barkley was in London to complete the move when he changed his mind and according to ex-Burnley player turned radio presenter Joey Barton, it was because he couldn’t speak with Antonio Conte.
According to Barton’s version “Conte turned his phone off and Barkley’s representatives were trying to contact him. He wanted to say ‘look, where am I going to play’, and Conte turned his phone off. That is why Barkley got cold feet and never signed. “He thought, ‘well, if the manager isn’t answering the phone to me he clearly doesn’t want me’, and that is why he went back to Everton.”
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