World Cup

Gareth Barry: 'Phil Jagielka can handle Mario Balotelli'

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 08 June 2014

Gareth Barry believes that England defender Phil Jagielka will have no problems facing Mario Balotelli when the Three Lions take on Italy in their World Cup opener.

Gareth Barry has expressed his belief that Phil Jagielka will have no problems dealing with Mario Balotelli when England face Italy in the World Cup.

The Three Lions take on the Azzurri in their opening match in Group D in Manaus next Saturday, and the 33-year-old is confident that Jagielka should have no issues with the former Manchester City striker after watching him thrive for Everton last season.

Barry is quoted as saying by The People: "With the strengths Jags has got, he is not going to have a problem against Mario.

"The best compliment I can give him is that, until you train every day and play with someone, you don't really know sometimes how good a player they are going to be and Jags is certainly in that category.

"I obviously knew he was a top player, but to see him close up every day and play with him, he is really top class."

Jagielka played the full 90 minutes in England's final warm-up game before the World Cup in their goalless draw with Honduras.