Ross Barkley has been hailed as ‘one in a million’ by his manager at Everton, Roberto Martinez.
The young midfielder has forced his way into the first team since the departure of David Moyes and Martinez has seen the Toffees youngster also being called up to the England team.
The Everton boss believes that the youngster is well-grounded, which is the opposite of the usual English talent which picks up the naught boy reputation regularly.
"For some reason, the English talent is often the naughty boy. It's a short fuse, or he gets into some kind of trouble. Drinking, smoking," Martinez told the Daily Mail.
"Ross is the opposite. I think partly because he had a big injury at 17 [he broke his leg in three places]. All of a sudden something took it all away from him. He realised what he could lose. But home is good too. He's well-grounded. His mum is a great influence. He's one in a million.”
"What impresses me is the mentality. You can talk about talent, about physicality. He has the physical elements of the British game. The intensity and the power. But Ross also has the touch of someone brought up in a different culture,” the Spaniard added.
"You've got a cool character, such an emotionally stable character. And that is what sets him apart. Whether he is playing for England at Wembley, or the opening game of the season against Norwich, or a friendly behind closed doors, his approach will be the same.”
"And it's the same after someone has kicked him or he has made a good pass. Only the top guys are like this"
