It is now time to switch to a new Money AM football blog as the world cup is now over and we all look to the future.....World cup 2010 is over, Bravo Espana, and Forlan, once again and bring on the new season !.....I never expected the last thread to be such a success...thanks all.... so this new one might go on for years without the need to edit the title...we shall see...

ROSS BARKLEY was shifting uncomfortably in his seat on the England team coach, flicking sheepish glances at his new international team-mates, when Steven Gerrard boarded, strode down the aisle and planted himself on the empty seat at the teenager’s side.

By: Paul JoycePublished: Sat, September 21, 2013
1Comments
Ross Barkley seems to have no intention of leaving Everton GETTY Ross Barkley seems to have no intention of leaving Everton [GETTY]

The thought of the Liverpool captain making a beeline for the new kid on the block, intent upon imparting career advice, would normally constitute every Evertonian’s worst nightmare.

An invitation for accusations of mischief making or, dare it be said, tapping up. But those at Goodison Park can feel reassured. “He told me that I’m a local lad playing for the team I support and there’s nothing better,” said Barkley.

“He said that the big-hitters are going to be looking at me and linked with me, but going to another team and not playing is no good for my development.

“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.”

If the underlying sentiment from Gerrard was refreshingly sincere, Barkley acknowledges the whole scenario remains vaguely surreal.

His rise to prominence following his swaggering early-season displays under new Everton boss Roberto Martinez, culminating in his England debut as a substitute against Moldova earlier this month, suggests he is an overnight success story.

Yet the midfielder’s rise has seen him defy the doctors who said his career had been shattered, along with his leg, three years ago and overcome the sort of hurdles which would have tripped up others with less drive and determination.

There is a story that Everton scouts tell of Barkley running the two miles to the club’s former training ground, Bellefield, a couple of times a week from his house in Wavertree to train.

Barkley prefers to reel off the tale of another bus journey. A trek that took him to the site of the old academy in Netherton, on the other side of Liverpool, and one that provides context to his soaring fortunes.

“Mum used to have my sister to look after, so I had to get my own way there. I would get a bus to town and then another one out to Netherton,” said Barkley, who joined Everton aged 11.

“I used to get the 79, then the 58 or the 51A. The other way was to get a bus to Broadgreen and get the 61A. Either way it would take about an hour. It’s still fresh in my mind.

“It was only when I was 15, Everton started sorting me out with taxis.

“One player used to turn up and his mum and dad 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 always say no because I was too embarrassed.

ross barkley, steven gerrard, liverpool, everton, wayne rooneyRoss Barkley competes for the ball with John Obi Mikel of Chelsea [GETTY]

I love Everton and all I think about is playing for Everton
Ross Barkley
“There were times I’d say yes and I’d be buzzing because I’d get home quick. But there were times I’d fall asleep on the bus and wake up at the stop after. I’d have to run back quick!” Barkley is both honest and candid in his first major interview, his outlook shaped by his mum, Diane, whom he regards as his biggest influence. But also by the experiences that have taught him to appreciate what he now has.

Though the double leg break suffered in October 2010 playing for England Under-19s against Belgium came in an accidental collision with his own team-mate, Liverpool’s Andre Wisdom, the decision to play Barkley at right-back in the game still rankles at Everton.

It left David Moyes calling at the youngster’s house to offer a holiday to Tenerife to recuperate and, more importantly, reassurance. “I looked up to Wayne Rooney,” said Barkley. “He had played for Everton when he was 16 and I wanted to do the same.

“I went away with England and David Moyes said when I got back he would give me my debut.

“It was a mad time. A week earlier the doctors [in Belgium] were telling me that 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.

“He sat us down and said to my mum that I was going to be OK.

“There was a load of kids outside our house when they heard that David Moyes was inside.”

It is under Martinez that Barkley is making rapid strides, the Spaniard prepared to put up with the errant passes the youngster still makes, in a way his predecessor Moyes was less inclined to, because he knows there is likely to be a sprinkling of stardust also.

“He said he believes I am going to be a big player for Everton this season and for seasons to come,” added Barkley.

“The only way you learn is from mistakes and Roberto is allowing me to make them 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 so I’m taking all of that on board.”

The advice keeps coming and Barkley keeps listening.

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Can only hope he takes Gerrard's advice.

No G/B you're missing the point like so many others, again football is a "Team" game and whilst individual talent/ability is important it's more about "how" the game is played then the quality of the individuals playing it.

Smalling had a poor game I thought, along with a few other below par performances. Apart from Townend and 1 from Gerrard I don't recall many shots at the oppositions goal, their keeper didn't have much to do at all.
I think there is some merit in what G/B says.
2517

Too many foreign players??? England '74, '76, '78, '80?

Watched the Portugal v Sweden games (7:45 PM KO) switching to England for 15 minutes at the break and full time; it would help if the England players moved when they don't have the ball. Cahill looked poor v Chile, and Cole still seems to think pace will make up for his positioning - he's getting slower.

There aren't many home players playing abroad, but the number of foreign players playing here (Premier League) is a high %age in many teams.

How many home managers manage foreign teams?
How many foreign managers manage home teams?
2517

"Too many foreign players??? England '74, '76, '78, '80?"... Indeed Kid, indeed.

2517GEORGE,

Did the group of the same, mostly failing managers help?

23 man squad, say a pool of 30 English players required; who are able to retain the ball under pressure, know who they are going to pass to before they receive the ball - having had a choice of 2 or more because the players without the ball make themselves available, press in an organised way, and so on. The number of foreigners isn't stopping that.

Cheers,
KidA

It's quite amazing just how much money some of these footballers are making for being rubbish at their profession. I guess part of the problem is idiots like myself who get bored with all the rubbish on BBC television and subscribe to Sky Sports.

I couldn't possibly comment -):

LOL - that's not like you Stan.:-)

There's always an exception to the rule DB -):

One or two of you've mentioned 74, 76, 78, 80, but just because England did'nt get through to the finals Scotland. N Ireland, R O Ireland did which contained players who played in the English leagues.

I did have the pleasure of seeing England win the world cup in 1966....

Duplicate post

Yes, they did get through GB, but then what happened? As for England's solitary win in 66' remember the home team usually was the winner in those days if they had a half decent team which they did under Alf Ramsey.

Yep but after 1966 we had some trully world class players. During 1966 they said we had 4 world class players, Banks, Wilson, Moore, and Charlton (arguably the best in the world 1966 to 1969/70)but people forget we also had Jimmy Greaves and Id say he was the 5th world class player.

That world cup win boosted English football, every team had at least 2 class players, even the botom clubs like say Wolves, remember that Ernie Hunt.....Willie Carr freekick.

In fact you could argue that we were the best football team to walk the earth.

People the World over say the 1970 Brazil team were the best ever, BUT remember this they just beat us 1-0 and if you watch the game again and I have done many times, we were very and i mean very unlucky to lose that match having had 5 clear attempts on goal to Brazils 3.

The late Geoff Astle WBA missed an absolute sitter.

!970s and early 1980s football here in this country was top class skilfull and good to watch.

Later hooligans messed it up for this country.

grannyboy - "I did have the pleasure of seeing England win the world cup in 1966...."


I'm sure a few of us can say that - but I doubt my children or even my grandchildren will ever have such memories..

I think this discussion only illustrates the inherent problem that we have in this Country at Club and International level and that is that Individual ability is "secondary" to the way "we" play the game as a "team".

You may recall the term "Total Football"... Thats what successful teams play in Europe (and have done for some time), but we don't... and thats the problem.

Watch German club Football and you will see what I mean, 5.30 this Saturday Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. BT Sport 1 / BT Sport 1 HD. for instance.

skinny - at least if it ever happens again our children will be able to watch it in colour :O)

Stan.......'Total Football' if I remember rightly that started with ajax and Holland. Gary lineker went over to find what their secret was and did a coaching video.

Later that year? in the Euros we played Holland and stuffed them 4-2 in the Euros quarter final.

Terry Venables was the manager.

Total football didnt win then, and I doubt it will do now against teams that fight for each other.

Remember Denmark off the beach and Greece when they won the Euros.