Ross Barkley has been linked with both Liverpool and Manchester United in recent months but former Everton defender Alan Stubbs believes that Everton will not sell the attacking midfielder.
Everton have sold many key players in recent seasons, including Arteta, Fellaini and Rodwell, to balance the books at Goodison Park but Stubbs now believes that the club are in a position now where they don’t have to sell and has claimed that Barkley wants to stay with the Toffees for years to come.
“When someone of his talent comes along they stick out like a sore thumb. Ross was like that as a young boy”. He said.
“He had a hunger I’ve only seen before in Wayne Rooney. He wanted to be the first on to the pitch, practising all the time. He just loves football.
“The club are in a different position than we were five years ago, where we had to maybe sell one of the big stars.
“The club is in a much healthier place at the moment. Keeping Leighton Baines last summer was a huge statement.
“We’ve now got players in a undance who can kick us on to the next level. It’s important now as a club that we start to keep these players, rather than sell one or two every now and then. Barkley is the future.”
The Everton coach also claims that there should be no doubt over whether or not the 20 year-old should be included in England’s World Cup squad.
“He’s got to go to Brazil. He’s the future for England. Whether he starts or is just in the squad, he’s got to go.”
Written By Eoghan Smith
