Leon Osman: Ross Barkley is a "special talent"

Everton midfielder Leon Osman feels that Ross Barkley is beginning to fulfil his potential as a "special player".

The teenager has broken into Roy Hodgson's England squad this season, and his club teammate Osman believes that Barkley is starting to prove himself as one of the finest young players around.

"We've all been aware of his talent for many years at Everton - he came to train with us once when he was just 14-years-old, and it's lovely to see him starting to fulfil the potential," Osman told the Daily Mail.

"During my time with Everton the first-team players have often heard whispers about the next big thing to come through the academy but, for one reason or another, a lot of them fall by the wayside.

"But Ross is a special talent who is already physically mature just like Wayne Rooney was and he's started this season really well."

Barkley will be part of the England squad that take on Chile and Germany in friendlies next week.