20.11.13

Martinez tells Barkley to regain early season Everton form ahead of Merseyside derby

Roberto Martinez has urged Ross Barkley to banish all thoughts of going to the World Cup and concentrate on recapturing his early season swagger.
The Everton midfielder's emergence has been one of the themes of the season and he is so highly thought of by Roy Hodgson that he has been included in every squad the senior manager has named since September.
Bright future: Ross Barkley won his third cap at Wembley coming on as a substitute in the defeat to Germany
Bright future: Ross Barkley won his third cap at Wembley coming on as a substitute in the defeat to Germany


Highly regarded: Barkley has been picked in all of Roy Hodgson's England squads since September and also appeared in the defeat to Chile
Highly regarded: Barkley has been picked in all of Roy Hodgson's England squads since September and also appeared in the defeat to Chile

But Barkley has been on the bench for Everton's last two Premier League fixtures and Martinez is wrestling with the dilemma of whether to restore the exciting 20-year-old to his starting line-up in Saturday's Merseyside derby.
'I don’t think it’s the time to talk about whether Ross could make the England squad,' said Martinez. ' The squad will be announced in June, and in football a week is an eternity so a few months is even more. 
'It’s a waste of time to think what could happen in the future in that respect. The big thing is concentrate on the day-to-day, and that’s where Ross is. He is enjoying his experience with England.
Back to basics: Roberto Martinez has urged his young protege to rediscover the form he showed at the start of the season
Back to basics: Roberto Martinez has urged his young protege to rediscover the form he showed at the start of the season

Managing expectations: Martinez knows Barkley has a huge part to play in Everton's season
Managing expectations: Martinez knows Barkley has a huge part to play in Everton's season

Martinez, who has described the Merseyside derby as being as 'big as a football game can be', added: 'But all he needs to do now is concentrate on his club role and make sure he is ready to help the team, enjoy his game and develop and grow. 
'The reward is always around the corner when you work on a daily basis. Sometimes as a player you can get confused about how you can affect the national team, but it’s very easy. It’s about what you do at club level.'

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