LONDON: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants to help new signing Ross Barkley claim a place in England鈥檚 World Cup squad even though he has not played since May due to a hamstring injury.
Barkley signed for Chelsea from Everton on Friday for a cut-price fee in the region of 拢15 million ($20 million, 17 million euros) as his Toffees contract was due to expire this summer.
Conte does not know when the 24-year-old 鈥� who needed surgery 鈥� will return, but Chelsea鈥檚 Italian manager hopes the midfielder can make Gareth Southgate鈥檚 Russia 2018 squad.
鈥淲e have five months to show he deserves a call with the national team for the World Cup,鈥� Conte said. 鈥淚 hope (he gets one), because it means he will do very well with us.鈥�
Barkley trained at Chelsea鈥檚 Cobham base this weekend and is due to meet with Conte for the first time on Monday.
The Blues boss is reluctant to put a timescale on when Barkley will be available before first assessing him.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for me to see him, to understand his physical condition,鈥� Conte added. 鈥淢y hope is to have this player (available) very quickly.鈥�
Conte spoke of Barkley鈥檚 versatility, but said it was important the Everton academy graduate understands his role tactically before he is selected.
鈥淗e can play in midfield, if we play with three midfielders, or number 10 if we play 3-4-3,鈥� Conte added.
鈥淏efore playing we must be sure that he is into our idea of football. Otherwise it鈥檚 a problem for him and it鈥檚 a problem for the rest of the team.鈥�