Chelsea legend Pat Nevin thinks that both Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could play together in a different system, even if they are not suited to being fielded in midfield in Maurizio Sarri's formation.
The Blues secured their berth in the knockout stages of the Europa League from Group L after their 1-0 win over BATE Borisov on Thursday.
Sarri has earned the plaudits for rebranding Chelsea this season and his team are now the only unbeaten side across all competitions in Europe’s top five leagues.
Chelsea deployed both Barkley and Loftus-Cheek in midfield alongside Jorginho for the first time ever during the visit to BATE Borisov and it did not seem to work out as they would have ideally liked in the first place.
Nevin claimed that the midfielders struggled to complement each other since they are too similar, but does think that both Barkley and Loftus-Cheek can perform together in a different system, following their inclusion in the England squad.
“The two of them together doesn't feel right under Sarriball”, Nevin told Chelsea TV.
“It might actually work under a different system.
"It might be brilliant.
“Both Ruben and Ross' games are fantastic at getting beyond defenders, the way Frank [Lampard] used to arrive late.”
Both Barkley and Loftus-Cheek have been named in England’s squad for the games against USA and Croatia later this month and will be aiming to make their mark for the Three Lions.
