Everton boss Roberto Martinez: 'Ross Barkley is a special talent'

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has described young midfielder Ross Barkley as an "incredible talent".

The 19-year-old will fight for a place in Martinez's first team during the 2013-14 campaign following an impressive display in the Toffees' 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

"He is something special," the Liverpool Echo quotes Martinez as saying. "In football when you describe a player, there are not many better descriptions than to say he's an incredible football diamond.

"He's still a young man, and he needs to learn the players around him. But I'm excited to have that process with him. He has got an incredible talent."

The England Under-21 international has come through the ranks at Goodison Park.