Jamie Carragher backs Ross Barkley and John Stones at Everton
Thursday 13 August 2015 10:37, UK
Jamie Carragher insists Ross Barkley’s critics must give the midfielder a chance throughout the coming season, and says John Stones is better off staying at Everton.
Barkley scored just twice in 36 appearances last term, having scored seven the previous year, but got this campaign off to a good start by netting in the 2-2 draw with Watford on Saturday.
As the 21-year-old looks to bounce back from an underwhelming 2014/15 season, Sky Sports pundit Carragher says the entire Goodison Park crowd should get behind him at all times.
Speaking on Monday Night Football, he said: “Barkley had a difficult season last season with the crowd, and at the game again on Saturday.
“Some of that crowd need to button it, shut up, and give that kid a chance. He's got great talent.
“He's a local player, coming through the ranks, it's not easy being a local player. I've been there at Liverpool.”
According to Sky sources, Chelsea last month failed with a new £25m bid for Barkley’s team-mate Stones, an improvement on their £20m first bid.
Stones, also 21, enjoyed a superb season in 2014/15, and despite Chelsea’s calls, Carragher says he is not ready for the step up, and would be better suited staying at Everton for the next “two or three years”.
“It is very difficult for a young centre back to be playing for a team right at the very pinnacle of the league.
“The best place for him in the next two or three years is beside you [Roberto Martinez], at Goodison Park, playing and getting 30, 40, up to 50 games a season, getting experience under his belt.
“And then, no disrespect to Everton, maybe in two or three years he will be physically ready, mature as a player, and ready to move on.
“He's not ready now. The best place for that lad is to keep playing.”
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