Alan Hutton laid out exactly how Ross Barkley was signed from Chelsea this summer.
Aston Villa acquired the England international on loan from the Blues and so far, the move has turned out to be a massive hit.
Former Villa and Scotland player, Hutton explained why the move made sense for both the player and his former club. He backed Dean Smith to get the best out of Barkley, something which was probably restricted back at Stamford Bridge.
Hutton told Football Insider, “I think there’s no one better to give him the confidence that he needs than Dean Smith. He’ll have him round, saying: ‘Come here, you’ll play week in, week out, do your thing on the pitch and express yourself.’
“That’s what a player like that needs, a forward-thinking player, he’s not scared to give the ball away or try things, he’s not going to get shouted at, he’s just been told to go and play and enjoy your football.
“We can see that already after a couple of games. We can see the impact and effect that he’s got, even on others round about him, he’s bringing the best out of others as well.
“We all know he’s a great talent, he came through at Everton and moved to Chelsea – that doesn’t happen to an average player, he’s a very good player. I think Dean Smith’s just given him that freedom and he’s lapping it up at the moment, he’s been absolutely fantastic.”
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