Ross Barkley admits he’s left Chelsea for Aston Villa to secure his place in England’s Euro 2021 squad.

Barkley was Dean Smith’s preferred loan choice and jumped at the chance to sign him, according to one journalist.

The midfielder’s move to Aston Villa saw him become Chelsea’s 20th player to leave on loan this summer.

There is no option to buy at the end of Barkley’s surprising loan move to Villa, so Chelsea will be obliged to keep him.

The Athletic report that it was the offer of regular game time that convinced Barkley to move, but he will face stiff competition in midfield with Jack Grealish and John McGinn impressing.

The England international stated that: “The last couple of years I’ve been stop-start, performing well and then being out of the team.

“To come here and have the chance to play regularly is a big thing for me.

“The Euros at the end of season is a big target, hopefully I can be there.

“Dean Smith swayed me with the way he spoke to me, it looks like it’s going to be an exciting season.”

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