Although Ross Barkley’s career has stalled in recent years, Chelsea’s acquisition of the England midfielder is a gamble that makes complete sense.

The Blues have paid just £15 million for a talented footballer with huge potential who only turned 24 last month.

In today’s market, £15 million is next to nothing for an experienced Premier League midfielder - especially a young English midfielder. It’s a drop in the ocean for a club like Chelsea and, if the move doesn’t work out, they know they’ll still make a profit later down the line if they sell.

Barkley, who hasn’t made a single appearance this season due to a hamstring injury, could make his debut for Chelsea as early as Wednesday night, when Antonio Conte’s side host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

However, following his move to west London, Alan Shearer has dropped a few truth bombs about Barkley in his latest column for The Sun.

Shearer: Barkley must prove he's more than potential

The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer believes the time has come for Barkley to finally show us all that he’s more than just hype - that he’s the real deal.

“There is only so long you can talk about a player having great potential — before they need to start showing it,” Shearer writes. “And that’s exactly what Ross Barkley must do now. Otherwise he is always going to look back on his career and wonder what might have been.”

Well said, Alan.

Shearer can't see Barkley becoming a Chelsea regular

Shearer also reckons that Barkley will struggle to break into Chelsea’s starting line-up and doesn’t expect the Englishman to become a first-team regular at the Bridge.

Ouch.

“I don’t really see where he is going to fit into the Chelsea team and I don’t see him being a regular for them,” he added.

“However, it is still a great opportunity for the player,” Shearer concedes. “Ross is 24 now but he hasn’t kicked on like one or two other England players have since the last World Cup.

“I know he has had a serious injury as well — but we’ve been talking about potential for too long with him.

“I just hope that in another four years’ time he doesn’t look back and wonder what went wrong.”

Shearer will hope Barkley can prove him wrong

Shearer isn’t alone in fearing this move will end up backfiring on Barkley.

However, there are few things sadder in football than wasted talent and Shearer will be the first to admit that he hopes the former Everton starlet will prove him wrong over the next few seasons.