Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has likened Ross Barkley to Paul Gascoigne. Writing in the London Evening Standard, Scholes said of the Everton youngster: "Barkley reminds me of a footballer I played alongside against Italy in La Tournoi in Nantes, 18 years ago.

"That was Paul Gascoigne, a substitute that day and, at his peak, a brilliant creative player. I think there is a bit of Rooney in Barkley, too. Barkley has the energy and enthusiasm of Delph and Henderson but he has that creativity too, and that kind of ability will be what wins England games against the better football nations.

"The people I speak to about Barkley cannot talk highly enough of his professionalism and dedication. He is, apparently, a boy who trains as hard as anyone and you rarely, if ever, read anything about him that is not to do with football."