Barkley treated with balance



The 21-year-old has been criticised for playing out an ordinary season with the Toffees but he was praised for two positive substitute appearances with England in the last week.

Martinez, who accepts the midfielder has endured a difficult time recently, claims that highlights perfectly the way Barkley has been treated since his breakthrough season in the previous campaign, where he was nothing short of a revelation.

"I think Ross is a young man who is used to having to deal with extremes," he said.

"When he plays well he is probably the best footballer that England could have and when he has a bad game it is the end of the world.

"It doesn't surprise me he made a very good impact when he came on in both games for England.

"We are well-balanced around Ross

We know who he is and how good he is through good moments, through bad moments and we don't get carried away when the extreme surroundings affect comments about his performances.

"We are very much level-headed in that respect

We know how important he is for us and for the future of Everton."

Martinez praised the way Barkley has coped with a testing time in the current campaign, when he has had to adapt to playing in different positions after excelling in a role behind the striker previously.

"Ross has achieved an incredible level of maturity this season," added the Spaniard.

"He had to go through a period of strong difficulty the same way we have as a team and he has learned a lot.

"He will benefit a lot in the future after this difficult season.

"Remember this is his second full season in an important role in the first-team squad - that is a short period to see a player getting through experiences.

"What I enjoy from Ross is he enjoys the responsibility and enjoys taking control of the big moments in games and he has an incredible technical ability which, with the physicality he has..

you don't see many players in world football have those abilities.

"We are really enjoying seeing Ross growing."

In an interview earlier this week, Barkley said he viewed himself as a striker but Martinez said that was probably a little too advanced for the youngster.

He admitted the number 10 role is Barkley's best but he has been played in a variety of positions to help aid his development into a more rounded footballer.

"At the moment his most effective role has been as a number 10 just playing off the striker," said the Toffees boss.

"Ross, as he gets games under his belt, could play in different positions with the attributes he has as a player.

"Probably now he enjoys the role playing as a number 10 and he has done that well this season, although for his development it is important for him to play in different positions and he has done that and it has improved his tactical awareness.

"He is not a player who has to play in one position to have an impact in the game and that is something I see as a real strength."

Source : PA

Source: PA