Spot on. He's better off staying where he is for now.
Ross Barkley
- Thread starter Inigo Montoya
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
- Status
He looks a real talent. He has such power in his runs and can easily take the ball past players. In some ways reminds me of a young Gerrard.
tbh that's what I was implying. United are the one team from the top 5 he'd plenty of time at, but he'll still get far more at Everton. He'd also get CL experience with United, which is the main difference in his development and say the two English players of similar pre-debut hype, Wilshere and Rooney were both playing CL football by 19, and hadn't had their development stumped by a broken leg.....though they both had plenty of injury issues giving them a stop start though.
How many years does he have left on his contract? I can't imagine negotiating with Evertob over him is going to be easy. We already paid 27 for fellaini, this guy might cost us close to 40!
Ross Barkley learns from mistakes to give his all for Everton
It began for Ross Barkley on the Mystery, the playing fields near his home in Wavertree where he was spotted aged eight. It seems a fitting start to a career plunged into the unknown by a triple leg fracture until he reveals the sacrifice and self-determination that pulled him through. Today he stands as a riposte to the argument that England no longer produces players of individual skill or character, and there is no mystery to how he got there.Four starts for Everton this season was all it took for Roy Hodgson to hand the 19-year-old his England debut in the World Cup qualifier against Moldova, and for the inevitable links to Manchester United to follow. It may heighten Evertonian unease to hear that as England captain, and a fellow midfielder from Liverpool, Steven Gerrard took Barkley under his wing during the international break. Until they hear what their Anfield rival had to say.
"He was good to me when I was on England duty. I sat next to him on the coach and he gave me loads of advice," explains Barkley in his first major interview. "He said there is nothing better than being a local lad from Liverpool and playing for the team I support, as he's done throughout his career. He told me that playing is the main thing, that going to another team and not playing is no good for my development. He said the big-hitters will be looking at me and be linked with me but that the main thing is I stay with the club I'm at, the team I support and the team I love, which is Everton. I love Everton and all I think about is playing for Everton."Wayne Rooney once said something similar, of course, but Everton were a different proposition when he emerged and few have developed a sense of perspective at 19 like Barkley. The midfielder started in the Belle Vale Junior League with Ash Celtic, whose president, Alby Heywood, first spotted that combination of strength and technique on the Mystery before the prolific Everton scout Sid Benson pounced yet again. The bus journeys towards recognition began for Barkley from 11 years of age and were a far cry from sitting alongside Gerrard on England's private transport.
He recalls: "My mum had my sister to look after so I had to make my own way to Netherton [where Everton's Youth Academy used to be] and I had to take two buses. It would take about an hour so I had to get home from school and get sorted quick. That is still fresh in my mind. There were other players my age who were getting loads of money. One player used to turn up with his mum and dad and they had a Bentley. I'd be waiting at the bus stop and they would ask me if I wanted a lift home but I'd usually say no because I was too embarrassed. There were times I'd say yes and I'd be buzzing because I'd get home quick. But there were other times when I'd fall asleep on the bus and wake up at the stop after mine. It was only when I was 15 that Everton started sorting me out with taxis."Barkley immersed himself in videos of Zinedine Zidane, studied Rooney, idolised Paul Gascoigne and realised he had a chance "when Everton started playing me at higher ages". At 13 he played for Everton under-14s, the under-16s at 14 and the under-18s at 15. On 18 September 2010, David Moyes included a 16-year-old Barkley among the Everton substitutes for a Premier League game against Newcastle United. He stayed there, unused, for three more games and was promised a first-team debut upon his return from a European Championship qualifier against Belgium with England Under-19s. Then his world turned.
"I broke my leg," he states, sparing the details of an accidental collision with Andre Wisdom that shattered his leg in three places. "It was difficult for me and I was upset because I wanted to play for the first team at 16. I looked up to Rooney and he had played for Everton when he was 16 and I wanted to do the same. I had been on the bench four times by then and David Moyes had said he wasn't scared to play me. He said he would give me my debut when I got back from England but then I broke my leg. I was upset and a doctor in Belgium told me I might not be able to play again. I phoned my mum and she said I would be OK, so I stayed positive and when I got back to England the doctors said the doctor in Belgium had got it wrong."Barkley cites his mum, Diane, as the biggest influence on his career and insists she is the reason he has resolved not to follow "those players at Everton and Liverpool in the past who have been built up and haven't made the grade". He adds: "My mum has always kept my feet on the ground and told me that if I carry on working hard it will pay off. I used to say 'If I play for Everton one day' and she would always say 'No, when you play for Everton'. She goes to all the games and though I've moved out now I'm still always going back home for my dinner."
Another key influence during that traumatic time was Moyes. The former Everton manager was distraught about Barkley's injury, struggling through a press conference the morning afterwards, but ensured the precocious talent was signed to a maximum two-and-a half-year contract when he turned 17 two months later. That was replaced by a new four-and-a-half-year deal days after his 18th. Moyes's interest in Barkley's recovery did not end there."He sent me and my family on holiday to get away from things after I'd broken my leg," the midfielder reveals. "Obviously I wasn't happy at the time, I was down, and he organised for the club to send us to Tenerife for a week. It showed that he was looking out for me and we had a good time. He came round to our house in Wavertree to see me just after I'd broken my leg. There were a load of kids outside our house when they heard David Moyes was inside. That was an important time for me. He sat us down and said to my mum that I was going to be OK. It was a mad time. A week earlier the doctors were saying my career could be over and then I got a phone-call to say David Moyes was on his way round to speak to me. I was shocked. I felt a lot better about myself after that visit."
It is only this season, however, under Roberto Martínez, that Barkley has been given the chance to establish himself as a first-team regular at Everton and allowed to make mistakes without fear of censure. Two seasons ago he started the campaign for Moyes but was quickly jettisoned after almost costing Everton at Blackburn.He spent the majority of last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United as Moyes sought to sharpen his competitive edge. The errors are still there – a wayward pass led to two Chelsea chances at Goodison Park last weekend, for example – but they come with the approval of a manager who believes Barkley "can be an Everton great".
Roberto is allowing me to make mistakes so I can learn from them. He's giving me information about where not to make mistakes and where I can afford to take risks and I'm taking all of that on board. I'd say the new manager trusts me more, but David Moyes helped me a lot. I used to go into his office and he'd always be honest with me.
"He explained to me that going on loan did not mean I wasn't going to be involved with the club in the future, but that I was going on loan to get better for the future of this club."
Barkley has set his sights on a summer in Brazil next year – "It's a goal to get myself in the squad for the World Cup," he says – and on joining Gerrard, Rooney and company as the latest Liverpool-born player to defy the English talent drain.
"I don't know why you get so many Scousers making it. We're a bit different to anyone else, aren't we? We are aggressive, winners. It must be in our genes."
Good connection with Moyes, would we be favourites to sign him in the future, should we wish to?
"He explained to me that going on loan did not mean I wasn't going to be involved with the club in the future, but that I was going on loan to get better for the future of this club."
Barkley has set his sights on a summer in Brazil next year – "It's a goal to get myself in the squad for the World Cup," he says – and on joining Gerrard, Rooney and company as the latest Liverpool-born player to defy the English talent drain.
"I don't know why you get so many Scousers making it. We're a bit different to anyone else, aren't we? We are aggressive, winners. It must be in our genes."
Good connection with Moyes, would we be favourites to sign him in the future, should we wish to?
He seems a cocky lad from the way he spoke above, which isn't necessarily a bad thing of course. Or maybe just being proud of his scouse heritage
Doesn't sound cocky to me.
How boss is he when he makes those powerful surges?
I'm going to predict, Noble will be no where near the last to be sent off for bringing him down on one of them.
Exciting talent, looked good again last night. Could Moyes not have brought him along to OT in the summer?
Martinez described him as the diamond of English football.
Martinez described him as the diamond of English football.
Where would we play him though? we already struggle to play Kagawa in his proper position, I do not think we could give Barkley the same game time that Everton can. He should stay there for a few years IMO.
Great young player but he still needs to improve a few things first.
Great young player but he still needs to improve a few things first.
True. For Everton he plays behind the striker but you could also picture him playing deeper. He has that explosive ability to burst forward. Something we're lacking.
But on top of that it's also exciting to see such potential at the club. In midfield as well. We have then likes of Zaha here, who could be playing regular football with Palace but it's in our interest to have him here training day in day out with the likes of van Persie and Giggs. Plus, the longer Barkley carries on like this, the bigger the transfer fee. Especially for a English talent. Surely Moyes knows him better than anyone and could see the huge potential.
But on top of that it's also exciting to see such potential at the club. In midfield as well. We have then likes of Zaha here, who could be playing regular football with Palace but it's in our interest to have him here training day in day out with the likes of van Persie and Giggs. Plus, the longer Barkley carries on like this, the bigger the transfer fee. Especially for a English talent. Surely Moyes knows him better than anyone and could see the huge potential.
He's good, but give me my Ravel back any day.
Where the hell did this guy pop up from? What a player so far!!
Been highly rated for quite a while, but only really been given a chance for Everton this season.
It might be early days but his impact is as significant as, if not more than, an 18 year old Rooney!
I've seen my fair share of hyped up youngsters at Liverpool and other clubs, but this guy is the real deal. Man City or Chelsea bound then.
I've seen my fair share of hyped up youngsters at Liverpool and other clubs, but this guy is the real deal. Man City or Chelsea bound then.
Yeah, I'd say in terms of youth hype from the right people, only Rooney and Wilshere had more hype to them I'd say. The leg injury just dented him a little, kinda like with Ramsey, it's absolutely brilliant to see both coming good. Kinda be nice if Rodwell could lose him injury niggles too, but City probably wouldn't give him a full chance if he did, he's possibly doomed now.
It just shows how much showing faith in players, giving them consistent starts AND finishing games(even when nackered) often can do. Does wonders, it's why I don't like midfielders coming through at Utd, far too much pressure makes it hard to get them consistent full games.
It just shows how much showing faith in players, giving them consistent starts AND finishing games(even when nackered) often can do. Does wonders, it's why I don't like midfielders coming through at Utd, far too much pressure makes it hard to get them consistent full games.
I saw a couple of games he played at Sheffield Wednesday on loan and he played more of a box to box role, and he was incredibly good at winning the ball deep, and bursting forward with it. Obviously it was only the Championship, but there was something quite Yaya Toure-esque about seeing him pick up the ball on the edge of his own final third, and just streamroll through the opposing midfield.
Should be noted playing behind the striker at Everton can a lot of the times be deeper than a traditional 10 plays elsewhere, definitely doesn't seem to be fazed by having to do his share of tracking back. He's been pushed into Fellaini's slot, who himself has gone back into a midfield 2 for Utd, so he should be able to adapt to it.
Aggressive winners? Fair fecks I hate this deluded superiority complex Scousers seem to have, how many Scousers have PL medals Ross? Get down the other end of the east lancs road and see what winners are all about.
With Barkley I think people have to be careful of Jordan Henderson-syndrome. One good season / period does not make a good player.
Be interesting to see if he can keep it up for another season or two.
Be interesting to see if he can keep it up for another season or two.
Heh. Fair point.
Although when you combine the league title hauls of Liverpool, United and Everton you do have to wonder if there's something in the water in the North-West of England.
Sounds quality. That is how I see him rather than his current no.10 role. Even in last nights game he did a fair bit of tracking back and ball winning. If he was to play deeper then that ability to burst forward would be a great asset to us. It's kind of what I've always wanted/expected Anderson to produce yet he never really has.
Be interesting to see how Barkley continues to develop. I hope Moyes is keeping a close eye.
All things considered Barkley is a much better player than Morrison.
I imagine Moyes will have earmarked a move for him in the future if he is still in the job.
Here's hoping.
I think Moyes rates him very, very highly, as when he was on loan last year, I read that Moyes didn't extent the Wednesday loan because Dave Jones didn't want to play him in every single game, and Moyes only wanted him to be on loan if he was going to play all the time. Warnock said the same thing when he was on BT Sport, about having to send him back from Leeds to Everton, as he couldn't commit to playing him all the time. I'm not sure why, as even a young, raw Barkley is probably better than Wednesday's and Leeds United's current midfield options. But it's clear that Moyes attended to Barkley's loan spells very closely, even going to watch his mid week games.
That sort of attention speaks volumes, I reckon. Usually kids are loaned out, and they are just left to it, whether they play or not. United seemed to be more interested in long term loans, either 6 months or a full season in recent years, but even with Jesse Lingard, Moyes has opted for a short loan, and he'll probably assess how he's done at the end of the month, as to whether or not he'll keep him there. I'm just making an assumption of course based on the Barkley loan, but if that is why, then that's pleasing.
That sort of attention speaks volumes, I reckon. Usually kids are loaned out, and they are just left to it, whether they play or not. United seemed to be more interested in long term loans, either 6 months or a full season in recent years, but even with Jesse Lingard, Moyes has opted for a short loan, and he'll probably assess how he's done at the end of the month, as to whether or not he'll keep him there. I'm just making an assumption of course based on the Barkley loan, but if that is why, then that's pleasing.
He was good against Newcastle, I think he is one to watch especially now it seems Martinez sees him as a starter.
If he keeps this up, he could be in-line to start for England next Summer... Wilshere - Cleverley - Barkley... England in midfield that can pass and move shocker?!
------Cleverley-Wilshere------
Walcott----Barkley----Welbeck
-------------Rooney--------------
Walcott----Barkley----Welbeck
-------------Rooney--------------
I would bloody love to see that... It'll never happen though, not enough Gerrard.
This World Cup is a bit of a write-off, after this year though, Lampard/Gerrard/Carrick (not that anyone would notice in the later case) should walk-away and let that trio come through. Not sure Hodgson is the man to see that happen though.
This World Cup is a bit of a write-off, after this year though, Lampard/Gerrard/Carrick (not that anyone would notice in the later case) should walk-away and let that trio come through. Not sure Hodgson is the man to see that happen though.
------Cleverley-Wilshere------
Walcott----Barkley----Welbeck
-------------Rooney--------------
Do scousers still follow Ingerlund then?
------Cleverley-Wilshere------
Walcott----Barkley----Welbeck
-------------Rooney--------------
You've got options w Ox presumably in with a shout for a spot.
I see this opinion that Moyes rates him highly quite a lot, but can't really see what it's based on? For my money a new manager has come in and trusted him and he is now repaying that faith, whereas I can't remember him playing very often under Moyes at all.
Maybe SilentWitness can provide a better insight into whether it is just a case of him coming of age naturally this season, or whether he had more to contribute last season and was overlooked?
------Cleverley-Wilshere------
Walcott----Barkley----Welbeck
-------------Rooney--------------
Defensively weak midfield. And Sturridge ahead of Welbeck every day.
He was on loan for large spells of last season, and still made 10 (I think?) appearances for Everton as well. As I said in my post, he was determined to ensure that Barkley actually played as much football as possible whilst on loan. I don't think he would have gone to such efforts if he didn't rate him. He would have just given him a season long loan and not really given a toss whether he played or not.
- Status