Roberto Martinez has backed Ross Barkley to cope with any added pressure that a trip to this summer’s World Cup would throw at him.
The Everton midfielder has been one of the stand-out performers of the season so far under Martinez at Goodison Park.
That has seen the 20-year-old make the step up to Roy Hodgson’s senior squad, after previously featuring in the U20 World Cup in Turkey last summer.
Barkley has been in impressive form with Everton this season
And Martinez believes Barkley would be ready to take on the challenge of the biggest football competition in the world, should he make the cut for Hodgson’s World Cup squad.
"Ross has a true love for the game, and that would enable him to cope with any level of expectation," revealed Martinez, after seeing Barkley score in Everton’s 3-2 win over Swansea on Saturday.
"There are no complications with him. He has a very simple approach, in that he enjoys being a footballer and loves playing.
"He comes into training each day and loves every second of it - that is a big strength to have at his age."
Despite making his Everton debut as a 17-year-old back in 2011, Barkley has had to wait until this season and the arrival of Martinez at the Merseyside club before enjoying a real run of games in the first team.
After loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United last season though, he’s put that experience in the Championship to good use and could now be about to perform on the world stage.
"If he gets his chance in Brazil, he won’t be daunted, no matter how big the occasion," added Martinez.
"That has been apparent this season. There has not been a single game where I have thought: "that’s too big for Ross."
“If he gets his chance in Brazil, he won’t be daunted, no matter how big the occasion.”
Roberto Martinez
"It is actually the opposite. The bigger the game, the more he seems to like it.
"I think it is in his nature to cope really well with whatever is in front of him.
"He is very mature in that respect, and if he is asked to go to Brazil, I am quite sure he will embrace whatever role he is handed without feeling any pressure.
"He is that sort of boy. He will enjoy the occasion."
England are next in action on Friday 30 May when they entertain Peru at Wembley, when Barkley will be hoping to be involved again.
