It's clear reading the two articles this feller has written about Barkley that he's a contrarian: intent on showing how 'clever' he is not falling for the Barkley 'hype' that all of the rest of the England following footy press are indulging in. "He's only as good as Shelvey" - he seems to think this is a great line, because he's stated it 3 times.
But there's no one suggesting at Everton he's the finished article. He's setting up a straw man. Let him stew in his own piss.
Oh I wondered if he was that guy, it read like him in writing style (or lack of).
I think his point about Shelvey is ridiculous. I cannot understand the Shelvey hype one bit. He seems like an odious entitled little cretin who is vastly overated. He's obviously got it in his head he's a special player. I saw him for Swansea try to dribble past people, he's average so he lost of the ball in his own half. He then stopped, shrugged his shoulders and let the other players do the defending for him. The idea that Shelvey in style is in any way comparable to Barkley is laughable.
I would have more respect for the journalist if he made a comparison with say Alli or Dier both of who I was very impressed last night (and all season). Unlike Shelvey they know their limitations and play within them. To make the case that Dier and Alli offer England a better balance and solidity than Barkley is an argument that works.
The second straw man as you've said is the idea that people at Everton are overhyping him. Martinez uses particular words about him, but lets be honest anyone in football should know that is Martinez's way so you take it with a pinch of salt. He's a positive guy talking in a foreign tongue. Behind the positivity is always the message that Barkley needs to be more consistent. In the end the only one building up Barkley to a certain level is that journalist himself.
To the original question of the OP I think Barkley has the potential to be very special. He can do everything. Shoot with both feet, pass long and short distances, dribble and dictate the pace of a game, as well as being over 6 ft and strong. He's the sort of lad who sould be scoring and assisting 10 a season. He has all the attributes to influence a game as Gerrard did.
At the same time last season I'd all but written him off ever doing that. This season he is getting more consistent. 3 goals and 3 assists against the top teams is an excellent start and him moving towards his potential. If at the end of the season he has 10 and 10 plus what he contributes in cup competitions we can start to talk about him being special.
