Cary Cahill urges Ross Barkley to be confident but not arrogant upon arrival at new club Chelsea

After a move to Stamford Bridge was put on hold over the summer, Barkley has finally completed the switch to Chelsea for £15m

Gary Cahill praised his new teammate as a 'phenomenal signing' (Getty)

Chelsea and England defender Gary Cahill has advised £15m signing Ross Barkley to be confident but not arrogant as he prepares for life at the reigning Premier League champions.

Barkley was set to join Antonio Conte’s team in August last year for £35m but a ruptured hamstring scuppered the move. The midfielder returned to Goodison Park where Everton continued to pay his £60,000-per-week wages and oversaw his rehabilitation.

The 24-year-old is nearing full-fitness and with just six months remaining on his contract, a deal was resurrected, albeit for £20m less.

“Hopefully he will be able to take the opportunity,” said Cahill, speaking after Chelsea’s disappointing 0-0 FA Cup third round draw against Norwich at Carrow Road.

“I would say come here and be confident but not arrogant. Listen and learn and watch the top players at this club. If he works hard at his game he will progress. He knows what he has to do. You are not talking about a young player, he has 20-odd England caps. He’s played many games in the Premier League, he won’t be needing too much advice from me.”

Cahill’s club and international career took off after joining Chelsea in 2012 from Bolton Wanderers. He believes the move will help Barkley, who made 150 appearances for Everton, fulfil his potential.

In the last three seasons Barkley produced more assists, created more scoring chances and had the most successful dribbles than any other Everton player – qualities that were lacking from the Chelsea team at Norwich.

“He’s a phenomenal signing and I think it’s a bargain,” Cahill added. “In this day and age it’s a snip for a player like him. In (England) training I have played with him and I have also played against him, I know what he’s capable of. He ticks all the boxes. Now he is ready for a platform where he can express himself and this club will give him that.”

Barkley made his England debut at the age of 19 but has not represented his country since May 2016. From his 22 caps, only three have been 90 minute appearances. He was an unused player in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad and was one of only two players not to feature when Gareth Southgate called him up for a double header against Germany and Lithuania last March.

Barkley’s international career has stalled in recent years (Getty)

Manger Antonio Conte said Barkley has five months to force his way into Southgate’s plans for this summer’s World Cup but also warned his first priority is prove his fitness and adapt to Chelsea’s style of play.

“Before his bad injury he was with the national team,” said Conte, who guided Italy to the quarter finals of Euro 2016 before being knocked out to Germany on penalties. “He has five months to show he deserves to be at the World Cup. I hope (he does) because it means he will do very well with us. He has the quality to score more goals.

“My priority is to convince the player to work for the team. If you are able to work, the team accept your characteristic. It will be important to know him very well. We must be sure he is into our football (tactics) otherwise it is a problem for me, for him and the rest of our team.”

Conte will hope Barkley can help Chelsea throughout their hectic fixture schedule. The FA Cup stalemate with Norwich further adds to the congestion but Canaries striker Josh Murphy, who impressed in the 0-0 draw, still believes there is a chance of an upset in the replay at Stamford Bridge.

“We have got the quality to break down teams, even the top teams,” said the 22-year-old. “I have played at Stamford Bridge in the FA Youth Cup and got the win, that’s the only time I have played there. Hopefully we can repeat that. Two times at Stamford Bridge and two wins. That’d be perfect.”