Ross Barkley is playing at a “different level”, according to Everton manager Roberto Martinez.
The Toffees’ boss was speaking after their 2-1 Capital Cup victory at Reading on Tuesday evening – a match in which Barkley played a starring role on his 100th appearance for the club.
After his side fell behind to a Nick Blackman opener, the England midfielder equalised 12 minutes later and then played a key role in the build up to Gerard Deulofeu’s 73rd-minute winner.
Ross Barkley scored his first international goal on 5 September
A performance, Martinez says, that shows how far Barkley has come since a stop-start year in 2014.
"I think he has gone to a different level," he said.
"It is fair to say that this season, for someone so young to already to have 100 games for our football club is an immense landmark.
"I think he is a completely different player from what we saw last season or a couple of seasons back.
"Maturity, always controlling the big moments, he had to be the one scoring the equalising goal, the important goal and I think his overall performance was of a player with a lot more age than he has.
"We are all excited to see him progressing and developing into a very, very special player."
Barkley – who has now scored four goals for club and country this term – is not the only young England international who has enjoyed an fine start to the 2015-16 season.
Ross Barkley celebrates after scoring against Southampton in August
John Stones has been a regular in Martinez’s back four, and has impressed alongside fellow Three Lions international Phil Jagielka.
The defender was substituted minutes into the second half at Reading after a suffering a knee injury but Martinez, who had to reorganise his defence by introducing the rested left-back Brendan Galloway, was unconcerned about his condition.
"It was more precaution than anything," he added.
"He had a little bit of a knock on his right knee and we couldn't take any risks.
“He is going to be assessed over the next 48 hours but I don't expect it to be anything too serious."
Everton are next in action on Monday 28 September, when they travel to the Hawthorns to take on Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion.
