Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand & Wayne Rooney would all start for Barcelona, claims Everton youngster Jack Rodwell - 7M sport

Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand & Wayne Rooney would all start for Barcelona, claims Everton youngster Jack Rodwell



I have a say

Posted Thursday, June 16, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Jack Rodwell believes that five England players are good enough to get into the Barcelona side.

Rodwell was responding to criticisms about England Under-21’s performance against its Spanish counterparts last Sunday, where it snatched a point with a late equalizer in a game in which it was dominated for large periods.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the match against Ukraine, the Everton midfielder praised the technical ability of some of England’s senior players and claimed that they would fit in at Camp Nou.

"You look at our senior side, we have some of the best players in the world,” he said.

"Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Ferdinand, Rooney, the list goes on. If they were in the Barcelona squad I'm sure all of them would start."

"Obviously Barca play a different style of football through their grass roots. Throughout their career, the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta have all been taught to a play a certain way.

"English players have been taught a different way, just like Brazil have been taught a different way. But that doesn't mean to say we don't have any technical ability. We have technical ability throughout the squad."

Rodwell compared the Under-21 tournament to the Premier League, contrasting the physical nature of the latter with the more methodical continental competition.

He added: "The Premier League is a lot different to playing in these tournaments - it is 100 mph and more physical.

"Come to these tournaments, look at the Spanish, they are more slow-paced, keep the ball more. It's not the way we play, but our players can adapt. Over the next two games, we will grow in confidence and show that technical side to the game."

"We hoped we could against Spain. They had a lot of possession but didn't break us down. More in their half. They did play pretty football. There are certain areas where you do that.

Whether a one-two on the edge of the box or important possession, you have to go places with it. And in those areas I'm sure we will dominate."

The Everton man is also confident that England can show its quality throughout the rest of the tournament and believes that the team can go one further than two years ago when they lost to Germany in the final.

Rodwell added: "This is a better squad. We've got a great bunch of lads here on and off the pitch and the team spirit is better. I think we could definitely go all the way.

"If you get through the group you've got half the job done. So we need to win next two games, hopefully get a good draw in the semis and whoever we play in the final we will be confident."

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Barcelona


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