OGC Nice’s Ross Barkley scored a stunning goal during a 3-2 comeback victory, showcasing his skills for his current club. The former England and Chelsea player joined the French club in September 2022 and is one of four former Premier League stars playing for Nice. The club is owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company INEOS, who also has a stake in Manchester United. Under Ratcliffe’s ownership, the club has a distinctly ex-Premier League feel to it, with Barkley joined by former Arsenal stars Aaron Ramsey and Nicolas Pepe and former Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Barkley struggled to live up to his potential after joining Chelsea from Everton for £15m in January 2018, making only eight appearances for the club in the following season. However, a successful loan spell at Aston Villa during the Covid-dominated 2020/21 season raised hopes of a career revival. After his contract was terminated by Chelsea, he joined Nice as a free agent.
Barkley has largely been used as a rotation player for Nice this season, but he dazzled fans with his goal against Montpellier after starting the game on Saturday. His side was trailing 2-0 away from home after a first-half brace from Montpellier talisman Teji Savanier. Barkley’s 53rd-minute strike inspired Nice to a comeback victory, with striker Gaetan Laborde scoring twice to complete the side’s victory. Barkley’s four goals for Nice this season are his best tally since scoring five for Everton in the 2016/17 season when he made 39 appearances for The Toffees.