Everton manager Roberto Martinez has likened Ross Barkley to Germany legend Michael Ballack.
Barkley has enjoyed a good start to the Premier League campaign and was named in Roy Hodgson's England squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.
Martinez has compared the talented 19-year-old to former Chelsea midfielder Ballack, claiming that the teenager has very few weaknesses to his game.
"He reminds me of Michael Ballack. When Ballack was younger, nobody knew what his best position was, could he be a sitting midfielder, an attacking midfielder or play up front? Ross is that impressive," Martinez is quoted as telling The Telegraph.
"He can use both feet, he can switch the play, he has a range of passing and can receive the ball in any area, he has a great shot and has incredible energy.
"I look at Ross and you tell me what weakness he has? He hasn't got one. Ross is as good with his left foot as he is with his right. He takes in information, which for a young lad is incredible."
Barkley scored the Blues' first goal of the new campaign when he equalised in the 2-2 draw against Norwich City.
Paul Gorst
