There is a reason Chelsea sent Ross Barkley out on loan. It is his record without the ball. What follows are annual snapshots of his player data matrix - the numbers on the left are his current ratings - those right the historical for the indicated year.
Watch it change.

Without the ball Ross wasn't the greatest - fine if you are a striker - but Ross is a midfielder albeit an offensive one. The trend toward more work off the ball is there but Smith can help that - just as he did with Trezeguet - the data confirming the evidence of our eyes.

If we look at Ross' heatmaps we can see he has been messed about by coaches - his assists and goals are ok but his defensive data isn't. Those tackle and interception numbers need context.

For comparison - let's look at John McGinn - another number 8 type midfielder looking to score and assist - but compare two key categories - tackles and interceptions per game.

And now finally let's look at another offensive-minded player - and how his game has been changed by Smith and the coaches into a far more combative midfield force.
Trezeguet.
Note the trend and note the comparison of the key data.

And finally - leading by example - our amazing captain - his offensive power is what people talk about - leaving morons like Souness to question his heart and work ethic - while the data shows a total footballer.
Jack Grealish.

The point of this thread is not to denigrate Ross Barkley - but rather to recognise there was a reason Chelsea sent him out on loan two months before he turns 27.
He is talented yet he needs to improve without the ball. His new coaches and team mates can help him do that.