Ross
Barkley says Chelsea can fill the gap left by Eden Hazard after the
forward's departure to Real Madrid, and acknowledges that the squad must
"step up" their performance levels this season.
Hazard was Chelsea's top scorer and assist maker last season, scoring 16
goals and creating 15 more in the Premier League last season.
The 28-year-old signed on a five-year deal for a fee which could rise to
£130m once all bonus payments have been paid.
Barkley, who made 27 appearances in 2018/19, believes Chelsea have what it
takes to overcome the hole in the team left by Hazard's departure.
"You have to fill in," the England midfielder told reporters after Chelsea's
4-3 pre-season win against Reading on Sunday.
"Everyone in the squad understands he was a great player but he is gone.
"He has new challenges now and we have to replace his goals and create the
chances. We have that much quality in the squad we will all step up to the
plate.
"Last season when Eden wasn't playing we still won games, we still created
chances. We know he is an exceptional player but we have exceptional players
in the squad.
"We have young ones that will step up and produce the goods as well. We have
Callum [Hudson-Odoi] coming back from injury and we have signed Christian
Pulisic - he is an exceptional talent.
"We have wingers who can create from tight positions, players who can shoot
from distance and strikers - young and experienced - who are hungry for
goals."
Barkley has enjoyed a strong pre-season so far, scoring a sensational
free-kick in Chelsea's victory against Reading, and firing the winner in a
2-1 win over Barcelona in Japan.
Chelsea face RB Salzburg and Borussia Monchengladbach before their 2019/20
season Premier League campaign begins against Manchester United on August
11, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4:30pm.
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