Ross Barkley Credits Frank Lampards Advice for His Sobriety Journey

As Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley revealed, he has stopped drinking since the summer, inspired partly by advice from former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard. Barkley admitted past regrets over drinking incidents that affected his career. Now 31, he is thriving under Unai Emery, having scored his first Premier League goal of the season against Bournemouth.

For the former Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley, life at 31 has entered a mature and disciplined phase as he continues to shine at Aston Villa under Unai Emery. In a recent interview with The Athletic, Barkley candidly reflected on his struggles with alcohol during his younger years and how advice from his former manager Frank Lampard helped him change course.

Barkley revealed that he stopped drinking since the summer, admitting that alcohol had previously led to situations he regretted and disrupted his focus. He emphasized that sobriety has brought him mental clarity and stability, allowing him to perform at his best. Recalling a particular incident during his time at Chelsea, Barkley shared that he once went out drinking before an away game against Lille, leading to Lampard’s punishment, he was made to travel with the team but was not included on the bench.

Barkley said Lampard advised him to “pick and choose when the right time is,” acknowledging that he too had made mistakes as a young player. Since turning his life around, Barkley has made five Premier League appearances this season and scored his first goal in Aston Villa’s 4-0 victory over Bournemouth, marking a strong return to form and focus.