Barkley and Stones - England's Diamonds

Article by e-Everton Correspondent Kenneth Jarvis

Click here to follow e-Everton on Twitter!

Ross Barkley will win football matches for Everton and England, that is a simple fact. He has indeed already won a few for Everton. Roy Hodgson quite remarkably took to criticising Barkley on Wednesday night for losing the ball then it seems by the general consensus he was most of the pundits and fans man of the match.

Barkley had 3 incomplete passes and a accuracy of 91%. He will lose the ball at times, he will be dispossessed, he will make wrong decisions. As will any number 10. Their role is to make things happen, to unlock defences and help win matches for their team. Compare Rooney's performance there against Peru and Barkley's against Ecuador and there is no comparison. Barkley's turn, drive and pass for the 2nd goal was sublime and would of won the match if it wasn't for Milner and Wilshere's abject closing down of Arroyo for his strike.

At Everton Barkley has a layer of protection that means he doesn't have to worry about losing the ball as he knows that it wont cost his team. Barry and McCarthy were the perfect foil for Barkley as they were always there to cover for him and them provide him with another chance to sprinkle his magic onto a game. On Wednesday, Wilshere and Lampard were awful at this. Lampard has not adapted to that role in the same manner as Steven Gerrard and Wilshere does not suit that role. As an England fan I am more than happy to see Gerrard and Henderson in these positions because they are able to provide that cover for England and allow the front four to express themselves and try to win matches.

Everton fans (and most others) are very protective of their own but it seems Barkley has come away from the match with much credit. Unfortunately the only man whose opinion matters will most likely go for a safer option. This 'safer' option will no doubt be Wayne Rooney, who, if his name didn't go before him, would have been dropped by England a long time ago. I'm not being biased either as I'd rather the Liverpool-bound Lallana play in that role or even Raheem Sterling who caused defences countless problems at point of the Liverpool's diamond.

My annoyance with Wednesday does not stop there though. John Stones is a fan favourite who seems to be close to obtaining cult status at Everton due to his attitude, composure, class and skill. He is however, a centre back. Whilst Smalling in particular was having a nightmare, Stones was sat on the bench. Stones was brought on the other night at right-back, which was very strange considering he is 20 years old and it was his debut. More strange than that is giving a 20 year old, who is now being judged by the whole English media, a run in a position I have never seen him play, left back. Let me put that into context: A right footed, 20 year old centre back who has had half a season in the top flight of English football, being judged by the whole of England is asked to play in a position he has not played before. For England. One week before the World Cup. What if he makes a mistake there, I can see it on twitter now 'Stones isn't a very good left-back is he?' But then this is Roy Hodgson. . . Stones is as much a left-back as Milner is a right-back.

As they say 'No harm, no foul'. Stones now has two caps and hopefully by the third, Hodgson will have realised he is a centre back. Maybe it is because I have watched a manager who is an expert in youth management all season that I am so irate but I can't help feeling that Barkley and Stones will be misused by England.

Barkley is a raw talent. This is a talent that seems to scare some managers who would prefer to try not to lose a game than try to win it. That is what Barkley will do, he will win you games. Whether Barkley was good or not for Everton there was nothing but praise from Martinez. When Stones has a nightmare at right-back against Liverpool there was not criticism from Martinez. Instead, he started him at centre back and gave him belief and backing.

Martinez has a faith in his players that seemed to make the players have faith in themselves. By the Italy match Hodgson will go for the tried and tested safe option which will minimise his criticism if England head for an early exit. The future is bright for England, which many young diamonds who could light the world stage. I just hope Hodgson is able to use them in the right manner to shape these young players for future tournaments.

© e-Football 2014 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football