• England face Spain and France in upcoming international friendlies
  • Roberto Martinez wants Ross Barkley to be given more freedom to express
  • The Everton youngster has scored six goals in all competitions this term 

Reuters Reporter

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has urged England coach Roy Hodgson to give midfielder Ross Barkley more freedom to express himself in the upcoming friendlies against Spain and France.

Martinez’s opinion that Barkley is one of the top talents in England has never wavered but the Spaniard has called on Hodgson to set up his team to play to the 21-year-old’s attacking strengths to allow him to reproduce his club form at international level.

England, ninth in the FIFA rankings, breezed through their Euro 2016 qualifying group with a 100 per cent record against modest opposition but can expect a sterner test from sixth-ranked Spain on Friday and France next Tuesday.

Ross Barkley should be given more freedom to express himself with England, says his Everton boss

Ross Barkley should be given more freedom to express himself with England, says his Everton boss

Roberto Martinez (right) believes friendlies against Spain and France are ideal opportunity to test Barkley

Roberto Martinez (right) believes friendlies against Spain and France are ideal opportunity to test Barkley

England boss Roy Hodgson arrives in Alicante ahead of his side's friendly with former world beaters Spain

England boss Roy Hodgson arrives in Alicante ahead of his side’s friendly with former world beaters Spain

ROSS BARKLEY PL STATS 2015-16 

Appearances                               12

Goals scored                                 3

Shot accuracy                              54%

Chances created                          23

Pass accuracy                             87%

Duels won                                     51%

Yellow/red cards                           2/0

‘I think it will be a real test of how England use their squad in a different way, because you are playing against probably the best team in the world (Spain) in terms of possession,’ Martinez said.

‘It is probably the type of challenge they need going into the Euros, because it is completely different to what they encountered in the qualifying group.

‘What I always look at with Ross is what he can do offensively against these types of teams because these teams, when they lose the ball, have left space.

‘You need pace and power to break into that space, and Ross gives you that.’

The 21-year-old has scored six goals this season, including this strike against Watford in August

The 21-year-old has scored six goals this season, including this strike against Watford in August

By contrast, only one of Barkley's six goals have been scored for England... and that was against San Marino

By contrast, only one of Barkley’s six goals have been scored for England… and that was against San Marino

ENGLAND FIXTURES 2015

November 13 vs Spain (A)

November 17 vs France (H) 

Barkley has scored six goals in all competitions this season but only one of those strikes has been for his country and Martinez says it is up to England’s management to get the best out of the midfielder.

‘Ross is the best in the business. If England don’t want to play like that and just wait and get set and have the ball, then Ross is not special.

‘It depends what England want from Ross really,’ he said.

‘England, depending on how they want to use him, are going to (determine whether he will) be influential or not.’

FULL ENGLAND SQUAD FOR FRIENDLIES VS SPAIN AND FRANCE 

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) 

 

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