sam-caddick
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Rob Shephard in The Mail: and here's why Barkley should snub City
For the good of the England team is to be hoped Ross Barkley ignores the word that Manchester City want to sign him.
If the whispers that City are prepared to pay big money and mega wages to lure the 20-year-old midfielder from Everton prove true, it could be hard for Barkley and even his club to resist.
But while such a move would make him masses of money, what would his career end up being like?
As it stands Barkley is on the threshold of become a top, top player, perhaps even a great one.
Even if he was promoted to early for England this summer he showed flashes of what he might do
But he needs to develop and that only comes with, well, games.
At Everton he will start every big match. If he stays at the club for at least another two years then by the 2016 European Championship, at the age of 22, he could emerge as an international star. And remember Paul Gascoigne , a player who in some ways Barkley resembles, was 23 when made such an impact at Italia 90.
But if he was to move to City he could get swallowed up by their squad and ruined by team rotation.
Take Jack Rodwell, Joleon Lescott and Adam Johnson. Had all three continued on their previous career paths rather than chased City’s cash then could have been integral parts of England’s World Cup campaign and the team may well have been a lot stronger for their presence.
James Milner did make, but his sporadic appearances with City have affected him as an England player.
Understandably there is a time when a player feels he should cash in and move to a one of the big clubs that promise Champions League football.
Don't chase the cash: Ross Barkley may be tempted by a big move but he should remember how transfers to Manchester City went for Jack Rodwell (below left) and Adam Johnson (below right)
Don't chase the cash: Ross Barkley may be tempted by a big move but he should remember how transfers to Manchester City went for Jack Rodwell (below left) and Adam Johnson (below right)
Disappeared from view: Jack Rodwell has barely featured for Manchester City
Arrested development: Adam Johnson's career went backwards at City
Yes, Rooney made the leap at a young age and thrived. But he was an exception although some will say that now, at 28 when he should be at his peak, the mental and physical pressure he has been under since that move have taken their toll.
Besides, Barkley is already very well rewarded given how much more money clubs such as Everton can now pay, compared with when Rooney broke through .
His career not cash should be Barkley’s priority at the moment if he wants to mature into the world-class player he can be.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-United-Football-Grapevine.html#ixzz37xeQZr5R
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