Ross Barkley could stop developing tommorow and still be one of our best players. There's no chance of him playing anywhere but the top Leagues in Europe, I say that with complete confidence. People like him simply don't exsist in the lower Leagues. High workrate or not, when you can manipulate the ball aswell as he can, the only way is up.
Not every top playmaker is a hardworking, defensive aware player, that's a bit of a myth to be honest, we'd all love to replicate what Spain do with and without the ball but it's not the norm. Players like Zidane and Kaka wouldn't fit into there typical pressing game yet where undoubtably outstanding players capable of playing for successful clubs. Every player has a style and Ross, for me, is very much a no10 who plays at his own pace. He comes alive on the ball, is a potential match winner, but also involves himself and takes responsbility, which is the most important thing. If he was one of those playmakers who drifted in and out of the game then he might he problems but he's always at the heart of the action. Moving, passing, dribbling, shooting - there's a hell of a lot there that balances out his lack of defensive qualities.
All the players being mentioned are small, agile and fairly quick and tenacious over those first few yards, that isn't Barkley, and it doesn't need to be either. I won't even criticise
Moyes, he'll be a little annoying and cautious with him, but Barkley will come through, and when he does, we'll be in for a treat. Until he's sold that is...