Barkley set to miss Chelsea's game against Watford

The 24-year-old signed for the Premier League champions in January for a reported £15m, but already looks set to spend time on the sidelines if reports in England are correct.

Barkley will reportedly not travel with the squad for their away league fixture against Watford on Monday after suffering a suspected hamstring problem in training this week, although the full extent of the injury has not yet been established.

The English newspaper claim that the midfielder is currently being assessed by Chelsea's medics who will continue to monitor him until the issue becomes clear.

If it does turn out to be related to his hamstring, it will bring further scrutiny for head coach Antonio Conte as the England international will become the eighth player this season to suffer a problem in that area.

Barkley would join Andreas Christensen, Alvaro Morata, Victor Moses, N’Golo Kante, Gary Cahill, Cesc Fabregas and Willian who have all been sidelined this campain because of their hamstrings.