Is it an indictment, also, of England?
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England manager Roy Hodgson has denied claims made by former global and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher that it has “never been easier” to earn a senior Three Lions call-up.
And as they head to Lithuania today for the final group game of an impressive campaign, Barkley has emerged as a potential Paul Gascoigne-style star.
Nevertheless, England’s expected starting XI have just 125 caps between them and only 11 goals. Rooney missed Friday’s game with an ankle injury, but was present before kick-off to receive a commemorative golden boot from Bobby Charlton for scoring a record 50th England goal last month.
Everton midfielder Ross Barkley says he is feeling confident with his form and that he feels like he is in the zone after another excellent performance for England last night. For all your preparation and all your work, you can play brilliantly in your first game and lose to a dodgy penalty.
“Obviously, as a coach, I have seen something special in him but I don’t like players to get carried away, I like them to keep their feet on the ground”.
Before the match, Hodgson said that he was not concerned about the manner of the performance so long as it brought the win. Three of those came seven years ago on that memorable night in Zagreb when he became the youngest England player to score a hat-tick at 19 years and 177 days old. We are looking forward to it. “That pass [is something] not many players tend to see but he spotted it fantastically well”.
This England side is always improving in defence with Stones, Smalling, Jagielka and Jones, and with Hart coming into his own for club and country – their future is bright.
“The ninth victory out of nine and the one which if I believe everything you (the media) are telling me – and I don’t understand the rankings system – that means we’re going to be seeded for the European Championships”.
“If he turns out to be one of the best players in the Premier League this season, you’ll all want him in for the finals”.
The dynamism that Ross Barkley brings to this England side should make him a starter.
“We have to be proud of ourselves, every worldwide game is hard to play, so you’ve got to give credit to the guys”.
Lithuania, therefore, also offers an opportunity for Shelvey, who is next in line in that position, although Hodgson could adapt James Milner.
Roy Hodgson was “surprised” when informed he has turned to 30 different players thus far during a successful campaign that ends against Lithuania on a plastic pitch, which will be soaked by the local fire brigade before kick-off.
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“The backroom staff have changed things and things are working for us”. Which, even though he is 68, was the right answer.
