Jamie Redknapp has backed Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino to get the best out of Ross Barkley.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp
Pundit Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that he thinks Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is the man to get the best out of Everton ace Ross Barkley.
Everton youth product Barkley, 23, has had his ups and downs at Goodison Park, notching just two goals in the 2014-15 season, but hitting 12 in all competitions last term.
This season, the midfielder was dropped by manager Ronald Koeman earlier in the campaign, but he has responded well, and now has four goals and eight assists to his name in the Premier League.
Barkley is starting to show more consistency in his game, but with his contract at Everton set to expire next summer, the Toffees could be forced to cash in this summer unless he signs a new contract.
Everton would hate to lose a homegrown talent and one of their top players, but given that he can walk away for nothing in 2018, a summer deal could be on the cards, with Tottenham allegedly keen.
The London Evening Standard reported last week that Spurs are monitoring Barkley’s contract talks with Everton ahead of a possible summer move for the England international.
Now, pundit and former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that he would love to see Tottenham sign Barkley this summer, claiming that Mauricio Pochettino is the man to take Pochettino to the next level.
Everton’s Ross Barkley
Redknapp compared Barkley to ex-Tottenham hero Paul Gascoigne, stating that whilst he can make the wrong decisions at times, he has so much natural ability and is still a ‘fantastic young talent’.
“There are not many players who divide opinion like Ross Barkley but I have always thought he is fantastic young talent,” said Redknapp. “At times he makes the wrong decisions but he has so much natural ability.”
“I am sure Ross knows where he will be next season but I would love Tottenham to sign him. Barkley has what it takes to be the next Gazza for Spurs — and Mauricio Pochettino can take him to the next level,” he added.
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