Ross Barkley has scored 12 goals and claimed eight assists for Everton so far this season.
Kevin Kilbane has told Match of the Day, broadcast on Saturday 20 February, that he has always rated Everton midfielder Ross Barkley’s dribbling ability.
Barkley has been regarded as one of the brightest English prospects for some time, but Kilbane feels that he is now starting to flourish as a player.
The BBC pundit claims that the 22-year-old has started to show maturity in his performances and increased his desire to start influencing games.
“He has scored and assisted one in every three Everton goals this season,” he said. “The one thing I have liked about him since the start of his career, is his natural ability to beat players.
“But he has improved two big aspects this season. He tracks back and has learnt his responsibility for the side, and one thing I’ve noticed about him this season is his desire to get into the penalty area.”
Kilbane’s comments came after Barkley put in a sparkling display for Everton in their 2-0 FA Cup fifth round triumph against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The England international set the Toffees on their way to the quarter-finals when his long range strike was deflected into the back of the net.
Belgium international Romelu Lukaku then sealed the victory late on, but it was Barkley’s performance that took many of the plaudits after the match.
Barkley has now scored 12 goals and provided eight assists this season, and his performances look to have made him a certainty to be in England’s squad at Euro 2016 this summer.
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