Gareth Barry believes Ross Barkley has the potential to achieve the level of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in an England shirt once he attains more consistency, though he is unsure about his Everton team-mate’s best position.
Barkley scored the equaliser for Roberto Martínez’s team in the 2-1 League Cup win against Reading on Tuesday in his 100th appearance for the club, leading to the manager describing the milestone as “remarkable” and “immense”. Barkley began the game next to James McCarthy but was allowed more attacking freedom when Barry was introduced at half-time and played a key role in ensuring their progress to the fourth round of the competition for the first time since 2011-12.
Martínez has previously compared the 21-year-old to Paul Gascoigne and although Barry’s praise was more measured, he is certain Barkley has the ability to leave a lasting mark for club and country. “Ross has got all the potential to become as good as them,” Barry said when asked how he compares to Gerrard and Lampard, who each won more than 100 England caps.
“He’s got everything that they had to match their ability, but the one thing he’s gonna need is consistency – performing, scoring goals, assisting on a regular basis, and those two players did that for 10, 12 years in the Premier League, so that’s the target for Ross. He has got all the ability to go on and be a really top player. He’s obviously still young so he’s still learning certain parts of the game. He’s got the manager here that’s really trying to find the right position for him to flourish.”
Last season Barkley struggled to impose himself at times and was shifted across the midfield, spending several games on the wing and playing behind the striker. Barry says he remains on an upward curve but considers him more effective in the centre, suggesting he can have a stronger impact there than out wide or in the hole.
“He showed in his first season how good he is, and how consistent he can be. Last season was a bit up and down, a massive learning curve for him, so I’m not surprised this year he’s really kicked off again,” Barry said.
“It would have been a learning curve not just for Ross but the manager using him last season. He was stuck out wide sometimes, played in the hole, played deeper, so it’s tough for a young player to settle down and play to your strengths when you’re not getting a run in one position. For Ross mainly, last year was a big learning curve, and I think we’re reaping the rewards now.”
Barry, who has also offered advice to Barkley, added: “I think he’s a lot better coming from deeper, Ross. Probably not in the hole at the moment, it’s a tough position and he’s probably still young to be going in there, so the role he’s playing at the moment with James and myself has certainly been suiting him this season.”
