Everton’s Ross Barkley missed out on a place in the England squad during the international break.
Former player and current pundit Paul Merson believes England are wasting the talent of Everton’s Ross Barkley as he insists the midfielder should be a regular for the Three Lions, the Daily Star report.
Barkley has an impressive 22 international caps to is name despite being just 22 years of age, yet many feel he has so much more to offer his country and arguably should have featured more.
The talented attacking midfielder missed out on England’s recent squad to face rivals Scotland in a World Cup qualifier before taking on former world champions Spain in a highly-anticipated friendly.
Everton’s Ross Barkley in action
With the ageing Wayne Rooney an ever-present despite Russia probably being his last tournament, Merson laments how England are treating their young talents such as Barkley.
“I was shocked Barkley wasn’t in the latest squad for last night’s game with Scotland and Tuesday’s friendly with Spain. He had a blinder against West Ham and surely he’s going to be around for years to come. You’ve got to pick players like that for the future,” Merson wrote for the Daily Star.
“If he was Spanish you can guarantee he’d already be playing regularly for Spain. We’re wasting his talent.
“Other countries must laugh at us when they see how we treat kids like Barkley.”
Everton’s Ross Barkley misses a penalty
Barkley has a bright future ahead of him at international level, but in the meantime there are a number of players standing between him and a regular starting position under interim boss Gareth Southgate.
The Three Lions weren’t at their best against Scotland yet goals from Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and defender Gary Cahill were enough to see the hosts round off a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Spain will no doubt prove a much sterner test, and one can only assume that Barkley’s physical presence would be ideal to match up against such a slick opposition.
England’s Ross Barkley in action with Australia’s Joshua Risdon
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