Romelu Lukaku has tipped his "friend and brother" Ross Barkley to become a central figure for club and country.
The England midfielder made his first appearance of the season in Everton's 3-0 win against Aston Villa after overcoming a knee injury – and Lukaku expressed his delight at the 20-year-old's return.
“He is like a friend and brother to me off the pitch,” he told evertonfc.com.
“I am very happy that he is back on it because he brings something that the whole team needs.
Ross Barkley last featured for England at the 2014 FIFA World Cup
“He has that rawness, that skill, that power. He is a perfect partner for me to play up front with and I am very happy that he is back.
“There are loads of players who can help me, but he has something that none of us have. I can’t explain it. He is the best player in our team.”
As well as missing Everton's opening Premier League fixtures, Barkley was also forced to sit out England's wins over Norway, Switzerland, San Marino and Estonia.
But Everton club-record signing Lukaku said Barkley has plenty of years ahead of him and has no doubt he will go on to become an England great.
“He will be somebody that the England team will rely on”
Romelu Lukaku on Ross Barkley
“He will be somebody that the England team will rely on,” added Lukaku.
“At the moment, they rely on Wayne Rooney but I think that will be Ross in the future.
“There are a lot of players who want to play No10 for England and when he is 100 per cent fit I think he is the one who can play there.
“If Rooney is playing up front because he is the captain, then I think Ross will be England’s No10 definitely.”
Next up for Everton and Barkley is a UEFA Europa League trip to France to take on Lille on Thursday, before Sunday's trip to face Burnley at Turf Moor.
