• Premier League

Ludicrous for England to rely on Barkley - Martinez

ESPN staff
October 4, 2013
Ross Barkley won his first England senior cap in August © PA Photos
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Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes it would be "ludicrous" for England to pin their hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup on teenager Ross Barkley.

The 19-year-old has impressed for his club and was rewarded with his first senior cap for the national side in August.

Martinez though insists despite the emergence of a potential star, it is too early for England to rely on him to send them to the World Cup in 2014, even if he is being compared to former great Paul Gascoigne.

"Playing for England can only be a good thing for him...but if we're going to say now the hopes of winning the World Cup are on his shoulders, then we are all stupid," Martinez said on the player who once again shone in the victory over Newcastle on Monday night.

"That's when it becomes a big problem, because he's not ready for that. We need to understand where Ross is. What he is ready for is to give some sort of help, and support the team.

"We have done it before - we see potential and we feel that's what is already going to give us the World Cup. He has terrific potential, but you shouldn't rest the success of the national team on potential.

"It would be ludicrous if he's the reason we are going to Rio and going to challenge for the World Cup - that would be very negative and detrimental for him."

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