Barkley in danger of being a lost talent
Hodgson: He needs a club who believe in him
Roy HoDGSoN fears Ross Barkley will join England’s ranks of lost talent if he cannot find a club to appreciate and nurture his talent.
Barkley’s future is uncertain after a contract dispute and a summer of recruitment by Everton.
Potential interest from Tottenham and Chelsea has yet to develop and Hodgson said: ‘Players with special talent will divide opinion.
‘If Ross can find a club where people believe in him as much as we did in the England set-up he will do well.
‘With us he faced strict competition, he didn’t not play because we didn’t think he was good enough.
‘He’s a risky passer, a midfielder who will turn with the ball, take players on and attempt a shot from 20 yards.
‘Some of the 20-yard shots will fly over, some of the turns in midfield will be dispossessed and some of the risky passes will be cut out. But there are lots of players who can’t produce that level of ability.
‘If he gets to a club where they buy him for what he can do and not what he can’t do someone will end up with a very good player.’
The former England manager was speaking at the Leaders Sport Business Summit in Beijing about development pathways for young footballers.
Asked if Barkley (right) was in danger of becoming a lost talent, Hodgson said: ‘yes he is, because of the pressures we put on people. All of us, coaches, journalists and fans are intolerant of bad games and mistakes.
‘He’s definitely a talent. He’ll win some games for his club and for England, too.’
The former England boss also claimed Wayne Rooney could revive his international career after a return to Goodison Park.
‘I don’t think he’s over the hill,’ said Hodgson. ‘ He’s certainly way up the hill. you can’t deny the fact that he actually got up there.
‘When you’re there, if you want to keep your place in a top Premier League team and be an England player you’ve got to produce the goods every week, and he couldn’t do that at Man United because he wasn’t being selected.
‘ I’m pleased he’s somewhere he’s going to play again — and back to his hometown club, great move.’ It is over a year since Hodgson quit England but he is not ready to call time on his long and distinguished coaching career. ‘Sometimes I miss being on the touchline,’ said Hodgson, who turns 70 next month. ‘It’s a question of what touchline, really. I miss the work with the players. I’m certainly not ruling myself out of any jobs. I wouldn’t mind going abroad. I don’t limit myself. ‘I would be more than happy to listen to anything that comes along and happy to do it. I still feel I have the energy and enthusiasm and it would be a waste not to be doing it when I could.’