Royal Blue: Everton’s Ross Barkley tipped for Blackpool dream team

Jul 9 2011 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

ROSS BARKLEY hasn’t kicked a ball for Everton yet, but he’s already attracting attention from elsewhere.

Despite his tender years, Barkley has already been identified by one Blackpool website as a replacement for Scottish international midfielder Charlie Adam.

The website wrote: “Ross Barkley is an Everton youngster who is quickly establishing himself as a similar type of player.

“Only 17, he was included on the bench of Everton's first team last season (aged 16) before a triple leg break whilst on duty with England's U19s cut short his season.

“He's represented England at U16, U17 and now the U19 level. He certainly knows where the net is, scoring goals (almost 1 in 2) along the way.

“He's regarded as a tough tackling robust midfielder but someone who also has a good temperament, and who goes box to box. At 6'2' tall, he's already an imposing figure.

“Rated as an excellent header of the ball, the benefits of youth mean that whilst going forward at speed he'll be able to come back at a pace too. His ability to pass means he's seen as a CM playmaker.

“Everton must rate him, as he signed a professional contract last December, but the last youngster loaned to us from the Blues for develop- ment worked out well for both clubs (Seamus Coleman).

“Charlie is irreplaceable but out of the ashes came the phoenix. Ross Barkley is an up and coming player who looks capable of learning to fly in tangerine.”

Only one flaw in that thinking – David Moyes will want Barkley for his own senior squad this season.