Kevin Kilbane, present BBC pundit and former Everton FC midfielder, thinks that Ross Barkley’s form this season has shown that he has enough talent to get into the starting line up of top clubs like Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC.
Ross Barkley seems to have put the demons of his underwhelming last season behind him, with 5 goals and 4 assists for the Toffees in 13 appearances this time around. The 21 year old attacking midfielder is seen as a bright young English talent and it will be a task for the Everton manager to ward off interest from the big clubs.
“I think Roberto Martinez would be quick to stress that he’s going nowhere and he wants to develop him as an Everton player.”, Said Kilbane, according to The Daily Star. “But he has that [level of] ability. When you watch him play, he can glide past players, he can pick passes out.”
Kilbane added that this might be the breakout season for Ross Barkley.
“This season we’re starting to see his skills and his level of performance has been outstanding. He’s been involved with so many good things. If it’s not a direct assist he’s played a big part in the lead up to Everton’s goals quite a lot this season. If you’re talking about playing for one of the top sides of course he has that ability. He’s got power, he’s got pace, he’s two footed. He has that rare ability to change a game and bring it to life.”
Louis Van Gaal needs to have a look at this one
Ross Barkley, at this stage of the competition, has created 24 chances and completed 32 take ons, more than anyone on the Manchester United squad and that alone should arouse the interest of a manager that has been fighting a wave of criticism for not being aggressive enough.
The last time the Red Devils signed a young player from the toffees it payed off spectacularly, that man being present club captain and joint second highest goal scorer Wayne Rooney. This could be like a passing of the baton, should United pursue Barkley in the coming transfer window.
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