‘We’ll build a team around Barkley’

Roberto Martinez has spoke of a possibility to build a team around Ross Barkley.

Martinez: “Ross is the most complete footballer, which makes him different than the rest”

“He has got the power, pace and ­physicality you need in the Premier League. He’s like a hybrid of an English player and foreign player – and it’s very rare to find that combination.”

“When you have Ross’s personality, you can build a team around him – he is such a mature boy of that type.”

Speaking in response to questioning around unsavoury headlines concerning young English midfielders Wilshere and Morrison, Martinez also insisted Barkley will not make their mistakes.

“It is a problem we have in the modern game and society in general, so it is really important to make sure that we are there for him and, when he needs support and guidance, we must commit ourselves to do that.

“He lives at home with his mum at the moment, but he has a good balance in his life He loves playing football and being at home too.

“His lifestyle is pristine, he lives for the game and his family and wants to learn.

“He is a young man, but he does everything in moderation, with the real focus of knowing that the next day he will be on the football pitch training.

“He has an incredible balance to his life, but I am sure will be tested in the next few years and we have to make sure we are all around him to help whenever that is needed.

“But I have never seen a young man with things so clear in his mind, so humble and someone who won’t have his head turned by fame.

“It’s not hard for youngsters to get carried away, it is normal and it is our fault in many ways – we make them believe they are something special at a very young age and that is something difficult for a young man to come to terms with.”