Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has been communicating with on loan star Ross Barkley.

The Englishman is impressing during his season long loan with Aston Villa.

Barkley has a tough future at Chelsea, given the club's spending spree on attackers and attacking midfielders.

But he has shown his quality with Villa, scoring twice in five games for Dean Smith's team.

Eurosport has claimed the Chelsea boss sent Barkley a congratulations text over his good form.

The Blues are watching Barkley, and a great season could earn him one last chance to stake a claim for a first team spot at the club.