Ross Barkley has promised to learn from the off-field mistakes he’s made.
The Chelsea midfielder admitted getting caught photographed in unsavoury situations has been a ‘big lesson’.
Barkley made his first appearance in three months on Sunday, as the Blues advanced to the FA Cup fourth round with a 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest.
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Ross Barkley scored on his first Chelsea appearance in three months against Nottingham Forest on Sunday
It’s been a rollercoaster season for the 26-year-old already, who has irked boss Frank Lampard on several occasions.
Barkley was snapped dancing shirtless in a Dubai nightclub in the summer which although it didn’t look good – Chelsea weren’t massively concerned because he was on holiday.
The England midfielder was then caught on camera being escorted to a cashpoint by two police officers in September withdrawing money to pay a taxi driver after a late night row over spilled chips.
Blues chiefs were incensed, and Barkley has acknowledged that embarrassing incident is one that shouldn’t have occurred, vowing to curb his partying lifestyle.
“It is that 10 seconds when you are not looking like a professional when you have got to let your hair down but then you can’t forget about your job,” he explained.
“It was unfortunate of me to get caught in that position and it will happen many times to players because you know what phones are like nowadays. I am just keeping my head down and it won’t happen again.
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Frank Lampard has spoken with Barkley in regards to his conduct off the field
“It’s a big lesson. You have got to be aware of your surroundings when you let your hair down for any player out there.
You have just got to be aware of what’s around you. It is just more about being with the right company and in private.”
He added: “When you play in the Premier League, you are a high profile player, so it is about keeping low-key and switched on.
“It is just nowadays that you have to be careful because everyone is wanting to catch you out.
“When you are on holiday or away you need the right people around you.
“I have made that mistake and it won’t happen again but I am sure it will happen to young players in the future.
“We all make mistakes but it is about being aware.”
Lampard has reminded Barkley of his professional responsibilities, and the need to behave in the right manner away from the field.
“Back in the day players wouldn’t have to think about things like that but you can’t forget people want to make you look bad,” he said.
“I am a very professional player but that 10 seconds doesn’t make you look professional.
“That’s just the way football is now with phones. You have to adapt to the way things are now.
“Everyone makes mistakes. When you make mistakes, you have got to learn from them.
“I am 26 now and I understand when you make a mistake, learn from them and move on.
“Frank was really supportive. Lampard was one of the best players in the world and I am sure when he was a player he liked to let his hair down at the right times.
“He fully understands in his day that there was none of that.
“It’s more that people want to make you look bad, but it is in my hands and other players’ hands to not be in that position.”
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