Many people have said that young Ross Barkley of Everton FC reminds them of Wayne Rooney, this includes Frank Lampard who will be battling with Barkley for a place in England’s midfield during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil this summer. Barkley possesses a similar physique to that of Rooney as well as the fact that he started off at the same club as the Manchester United forward. Could he become better than Rooney?
Barkley made his Everton debut against QPR in August 2011 and has since put in some outstanding performances against some of the best clubs in the Premier League, including 7 goals in 35 appearances, leading to several rumours about which club his future lies at. One of these clubs is Chelsea, according to the Evening Standard, who have suggested that the Englishman could be involved in a swap deal with Romelu Lukaku.
Now at the age of 20, he is following the same path as Rooney did whilst at Everton with regards to the level of performance and, although he has not been a regular starter for England like Rooney, he has made several appearances from the bench in which he has shone; showing the world glimpses of his talents.
Going into the World Cup he is one of the youngsters in the squad, much like Rooney was back in Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006. If he carries his fine club form over to the World Cup for England, he will achieve something that Wayne Rooney has not done so far. Lacklustre performances and the fact he has never scored at a World Cup despite being the one that is relied on to hit the back of the net for England.
Ross Barkley has the opportunity to settle the ongoing debate as to whether he is going to be a better player. As he is still at a tender age, he has the chance to turn the promise that he has shown into world class performances on the biggest stage and that, up to this point, is something that Wayne Rooney has not achieved at an international tournament.