Everton manager Roberto Martinez has hailed the potential of young Ross Barkley, claiming that he will go on to become the best player England have ever had.
After being called up to the England squad for the 2014 World Cup, Barkley was left on the bench for the Euro 2016 qualifying win over Slovenia on Saturday but the 20-year-old has been tipped for greatness for some time, with Manchester City, United and Chelsea all regularly linked with a move.
Everton have no desire to sell their prized asset, however, and Martinez insists that the midfielder is in the right place to continue his development.
"There is no doubt in my mind that he will be the best player England has ever had," he said, speaking at a fans' gala evening at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.
"Ross has everything. Normally a player has the pace and power to get around the pitch or they have the vision to pick a pass. Ross can do both of those things -- not only that he is in love with the game.
"All he wants to do is play football and he will also be the biggest asset Everton have ever had. Players are big assets and I think you have to be able to cope with that.
"We have got a lot of interest in our players because that's a sign that we're playing well and we have attracted a lot of attention.
"The trick is, and the key to this situation, is that we don't have to sell. As a club, it's not at the end of a window that we have to sell a player to balance the books."