Transfer news: Chelsea increase interest in Everton midfielder Ross Barkley after Jose Mourinho confirms he made an enquiry for a 'young English player'

Barkley made his international debut for England last week and the Blues are believed to be monitoring the 19-year-old when they take on the Toffee's this evening

Ross Barkley's good start to the season has won an England place (Getty Images)

Chelsea are hoping to come away from Goodison Park later today with more than just the three points, with the club looking to pay special attention to England international Ross Barkley.

The 19-year-old made his international debut in the 4-0 victory over Moldova at Wembley last week, and it is believed that the London club will send one of their senior scouts to Goodison Park to focus on Barkley’s performance as the Blues increase their interest in him.

Barkley is regarded as one of the brightest young talents of English football, and his debut came at a time when the lack of development for home-grown talent has come under extreme scrutiny in the wake of the number of English players regularly featuring in the Premier League slipping to just 32% last season.

Chelsea are keen to sign young, British players and they already have extensive reports on Barkley, who was born in Wavertree in Liverpool.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference on Friday, Mourinho revealed he made an enquiry for a young English player during the transfer window, and he also confirmed that it was not Wayne Rooney.

“I like a young player, a young English player,” said Mourinho. “The market is closed but I asked a question to position myself to see where he was. We are speaking about a very young player but his price was like he has 50 caps when he had none.

“The price for English players is very high, the market is very difficult.”

Mourinho has also admitted that he is keen to help out the FA and chairman Greg Dyke with their plans to address the alarming decline in the national side. The 50-year-old claimed that if people felt he could help out in any way they he would be willing to talk in private over the matter.

“If people think I can give one inch of contribution, I'm ready to have a private discussion,” he said.

“If the right people think my experience of managing in important leagues and knowing English football as well as I do can contribute to finding a solution, then I'm ready for that.

“I care about the national team. I want my players to be elected and give everything. I never tell a player with a small injury not to go to the national team. I want to help and support our academy to improve to bring English players to the top.

“The only match I want to see England lose is when they play Portugal.”