Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is the latest young English player to be grossly overhyped on the basis of one or two games, and in this instance, the hype-charge is being led by former Liverpool stars Jamie Redknapp and Jamie Carragher, who are convinced that the 19-year old could be the next Steven Gerrard.
Barkley scored a superb goal against Norwich City over the weekend, and discussing the youngster in his column for the Daily Mail, Redknapp raved:
"The secret is out. Everton midfielder Ross Barkley [put in] a wonderful mature display at Norwich, including a fabulous goal.
"He has the same qualities as Paul Gascoigne and Steven Gerrard: he can stand up his midfield rival and then accelerate past him. It’s not raw, explosive pace, but a second gear. And he’s English".
Analysing the Everton-Norwich game on Sky Sports, recently-retired Carra sang from the same hymn sheet:
“There has been a lot of talk on Merseyside about Ross. We talk about the players that will come through and ask who is going to replace Steven Gerrard? Who is going to replace Frank Lampard? That goal on Saturday was Gerrard-like and Lampard-like"
Responding to Carra's praise, Roberto Martinez took a more down to earth view of £10m-rated Barkley:
"That’s a great compliment and something you want to hear. I see what he means. We’ve got to be realistic and say he’s only played one game this season and scored a great goal. He’s not the finished product yet, but he realises what he has to do. He’s a great listener and the best is yet to come".
Barkley may well turn out be a natural heir to Gerrard, but there's probably no chance he'll ever actually replace Liverpool's captain at Anfield. After eight years at Goodison Park, Barkley is Everton through and through, and if he moves on, it's far more likely - given the David Moyes connection - that he'll end up at Manchester United.
Having said that, plenty of Everton fans have played for Liverpool over the years, including Steve McManaman, Michael Owen, Steve McMahon (who also played for Everton prior to joining LFC), and Jamie Carragher himself, so anything is possible.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Barkley scored a superb goal against Norwich City over the weekend, and discussing the youngster in his column for the Daily Mail, Redknapp raved:
"The secret is out. Everton midfielder Ross Barkley [put in] a wonderful mature display at Norwich, including a fabulous goal.
"He has the same qualities as Paul Gascoigne and Steven Gerrard: he can stand up his midfield rival and then accelerate past him. It’s not raw, explosive pace, but a second gear. And he’s English".
Analysing the Everton-Norwich game on Sky Sports, recently-retired Carra sang from the same hymn sheet:
“There has been a lot of talk on Merseyside about Ross. We talk about the players that will come through and ask who is going to replace Steven Gerrard? Who is going to replace Frank Lampard? That goal on Saturday was Gerrard-like and Lampard-like"
Responding to Carra's praise, Roberto Martinez took a more down to earth view of £10m-rated Barkley:
"That’s a great compliment and something you want to hear. I see what he means. We’ve got to be realistic and say he’s only played one game this season and scored a great goal. He’s not the finished product yet, but he realises what he has to do. He’s a great listener and the best is yet to come".
Barkley may well turn out be a natural heir to Gerrard, but there's probably no chance he'll ever actually replace Liverpool's captain at Anfield. After eight years at Goodison Park, Barkley is Everton through and through, and if he moves on, it's far more likely - given the David Moyes connection - that he'll end up at Manchester United.
Having said that, plenty of Everton fans have played for Liverpool over the years, including Steve McManaman, Michael Owen, Steve McMahon (who also played for Everton prior to joining LFC), and Jamie Carragher himself, so anything is possible.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
I wouldn't under estimate his talents that much!
ReplyDeleteAt least he's performed in the Premiership, unlike this Will Hughes dude, and apparently they have the same value still? :-/
ReplyDeleteNobody has ever put a price tag on Barkley. Overated? There isn't much mention about him why his why his display was a shock to many. Very poor article, very poor journalism. An article about an Everton player on a Liverpool site shows the weight of this story. Close your computer down and never start it up again!
ReplyDeleteThought he looked a decent in the few bits I saw back in 11/12. Not sure what happened last season but looks promising. Be interesting to see how he does under Martinez. McCarthy came along well eventually under him at CM.
ReplyDeleteI liked Barkley when I first saw few years ago.
ReplyDeleteLet everton keep their talent , we will produce our own or at least buy them from another club and develop them.
ReplyDeleteShite article why u speaking about everton. ? Again
ReplyDeleteThe hype machine never lets anyone down.ROSS BARKLEY is a talented kid with plenty of potential but before making predictions on who the player is capable of replacing.Maybe a full season with EVERTON playing at a high standard should be completed first.
ReplyDelete£10m? Haha, worth way more than that, more like £40m. Deluded Redshites
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the hysteria that surrounded Wigan's Mc Manaman after a few good games. Suddenly he's the next big thing,
ReplyDeleteRooney was the last Evertonian to be compared to Gasgoigne, didn't ever live up to his early billing, even though he's an excellent player.
Wind your necks back in Toffee fans
Off topic, There's an excellent tribute to John Barnes in the Guardian.
Essential reading for those who didn't see him play or who think that Coutinho or Suarez are better players:
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/media-watch/guardian-a-tribute-to-john-barnes
$40m? and you have the cheek to call others deluded? The last Everton 'superstar youngster disappeared somewhere around Eastlands... But according to you lot , this one is the real thing. honest.
ReplyDeleteI dunno, he has a pretty strong argument, he's only one great season away from bale - a player who never won anything, never was top scorer, or even runner up, never played a world cup, had 1 really good season, and one good season, and is worth 90M. 40M - he's not far off the mark :P
ReplyDeleteHuh? Weren't we just about to sign the next Gerrard from Derby?
ReplyDeleteThere are so many next-Gerrards out there, every team has their own version of him. But, there is NEVER EVER going to be a GERRARD again.
ReplyDeleteThere is never going to be a Gerrard and people need to understand that. Its not his game but his character that makes him what he is and what he will be. YNWA Gerrard!!!
ReplyDeleteThe kid is good but not sure whether he will realize his potential like so many other players. Its difficult for a potential to bloom if they are playing for the top 8 clubs in EPL where first team starters are bought from other clubs, more often than not. I also reserve my doubt about Sterling and Ibe for the same reason. Next Gerrard? I would first like to see if he can be a regular in a team like Everton.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope...at least for England's sake
ReplyDeleteLet's hope not. Don't ever want to see him try to end someone's career with two-footed lunges or build up a half-hour portfolio of diving for YouTube.
ReplyDeleteMight be in terms of his game and ability but not the character.
ReplyDeletehe's had a couple of injurys in recent seasons
ReplyDeletethis lad is different
ReplyDeleteBale has done well in the CL for at least 2 seasons and lots of players are 1 season away from greatness.
ReplyDeleteThe Bale fee is ridiculous. It's NOT the new benchmark to move all transfer fees to those ridiculous amounts. £40m for a player who hasn't had even ONE standout season?
You're off your head if you think that's right