Would Everton Be Wise To Cash In On Ross Barkley?

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Young, resourceful attackers are hot property on the open market and they have been for a very long time. And in Ross Barkley, Everton have the perfect advertisement for just how beneficial it can be to invest time and energy in one’s youth team. But would they be wise to cash in on his services should a “bigger” club come calling?

Having began life as a Toffee as an 11-year-old, rising up through the ranks slowly but surely Barkley is an Everton player through and through. Last year was perhaps his best season yet as a professional footballer as he linked up sublimely with Romelu Lukaku and helped his side push hard for a Champions League place.

Energetic, pacey and with a deadly strike – especially from long range – he’s caused many problems for defenders over the last few seasons.

But something’s amiss with the 21-year-old attacking midfielder this season.

He just doesn’t seem to have the same edge as last time around. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact he was such a revelation throughout the 2013/14 campaign that now defences are more prepared for his surging runs and darting movements. Then again, he’s also had to contend with a debilitating knee injury which saw him miss the first few weeks of the league campaign.

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Having yet to convert this season and with just one assist to his name, murmurs are starting to bubble up that it might not be the worst idea for the club to sell him soon.

Spoken of highly by Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez, it’s clear he still has plenty of admirers who can see through his rough spell of late, and that on his day he really can be a handful for any defence. Reflecting on his comeback match against Aston Villa back in October where he was a dominant force underlines just how top-class he can be.

And, as reported by the Daily Mail, Roberto Martinez believes the England international still has a heck of a lot to offer the club and he’s of the opinion that Barkley’s set to turn a corner very soon:

"“I am really looking forward to the second half of the season. He is in constant development and a constant learning process. He is a phenomenal talent but the most impressive aspect of him is his character and his willingness to learn.”"

Last season, he netted six league strikes and was the club’s third-highest scorer behind Kevin Mirallas and Lukaku. And while that’s not a huge return, it was a solid start to his net-rattling career.

And with Manchester City still to come on Saturday, the young star couldn’t chose a better time to reignite the style of play that won him so many admirers last season. And while that’s probably a lot to expect against one of the favourites for the league title, it’s vitally important the Merseyside club do their utmost to maximise their chances against them.

Of course, casting our glance back a number of weeks there were rumours linking Barkley to City which adds an extra dimension to just how well he might perform at the weekend. Whether or not it will influence his thinking on the day, it’s difficult to say but it definitely adds another layer of intrigue to it all.

Because while Martinez desperately wants to hold on to his services, football is a business and money talks. And if Sheikh Mansour says he wants him, everyone knows he’ll get him because money is no option for the cash-rich outfit.

If Manchester City came calling with an offer for Barkley, would Martinez be a fool not to accept it?

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