I remember when he got on the bench a few times when he was 16, and I'd read all sorts of quotes on him, think it was Cahill who said he's the best footballer he's ever trained with or something.. I was working with my cousin and I said "look out for this Barkley kid, he's been on the bench for the last 2 or 3 games" and then he got the leg break injury literally before the next game.
Didn't hear much about him until he got into the team during the pre-season of 2011, saw the Villareal friendly on TV and I remember jumping out of my seat shouting "oh my god he's f*cking boss" when he did some little dummy and then pulled off the most delicate chipped pass to put Baines through on goal but Baines was offside.
Was at Goodison for his league debut against QPR, Moyes stuck him on the left (with Rodwell on the right, and a CM pairing of Osman and Heitinga - seriously Moyes?)... but despite still only being 17 he was by far the best player on the pitch. Spent the next 2 seasons being frustrated with Moyes' refusal to play him.
Finally under Martinez we're seeing what he can do, its just a shame he cant kick a ball without an article being written about him going to United or City or Chelsea. Got a really, really special player on our books, probably better than Rooney.
