Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes Ross Barkley has learned how to handle the pressure that comes with playing on the ‘biggest stages’ of world football.
Barkley featured in England’s poor World Cup campaign in the summer of 2014, and his form dipped off last season.
But he’s started this campaign really well and Martinez says that Barkley’s ability to handle the pressure and scrutiny he faces as an international player is a major factor in his improved performances.
What impressed me about Ross was how he handled all the expectations and attention he had last campaign. Remember, coming back from the World Cup, all of a sudden he wasn’t young Ross Barkley anymore he was one of the biggest talents in English football. That brings extra pressure. The expectations we had as a team and going into Europe meant that as a young player, he has been through an incredible journey already.
Barkley played in England’s two recent internationals, against Estonia and Lithuania respectively, and earned huge plaudits for his performances.
The eyes of the country will now be on Barkley all season as Roy Hodgson’s side look towards Euro 2016, and that is something that he will have to cope with.
Martinez also spoke of the areas of Barkley’s game where he’s seen the biggest improvement, and pointed out that the youngster is now making better decisions.
I have been very impressed with him. Not just with his quality, because he will never lose that, but also his decision making, his impact, his role in the team and that responsibility because he wants to be the one leading every single attack we have. You can see, slowly, he is fulfilling that potential but he has the mentality of a great player.
