Football
ESPN staff 9y

Romelu Lukaku: Ross Barkley will take Wayne Rooney's place for England

Romelu Lukaku says Ross Barkley is the perfect player to eventually replace Wayne Rooney as England's No.10, because the Everton midfielder has an ability unknown to other players.

Barkley made his first start of the season in Everton's 3-0 Premier League win against Aston Villa last Saturday, having returned from a knee injury he suffered days before the new campaign kicked off.

His shining return, which included an assist for Lukaku's third goal of the season, inspired his teammates to an impressive victory at Goodison Park and the striker thinks Barkley will become a leading player for his country.

"He will be somebody that the England team will rely on," Lukaku told the Liverpool Echo. "At the moment, they rely on Wayne Rooney but I think that will be Ross in the future.

"There are a lot of players who want to play No.10 for England and when he is 100 percent fit I think he is the one who can play there. If Rooney is playing up front because he is the captain, then I think Ross will be England's No.10 definitely.

"He is like a friend and brother to me off the pitch. I am very happy that he is back on it because he brings something that the whole team needs. He has that rawness, that skill, that power. He is a perfect partner for me to play up front with and I am very happy that he is back.

"There are loads of players who can help me, but he has something that none of us have. I can't explain it. He is the best player in our team."

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