Joey Barton

[Redkop]

SkySports

 

Joey Barton has again urged England coach Steve McClaren to give him a chance to prove himself on the international stage.

 

The 24-year-old is in outstanding form for Manchester City and is being strongly linked with a first call-up.

England's next match is a friendly with Spain in February and many feel Barton could well feature.

 

"I'd love to be involved with England," he told The ***.

I'm not the best player in the world but I wouldn't be going along for the ride like some players seem to do.

You know, train a couple of days, wear the tracksuit but just shrug your shoulders when told you're not playing.

I wouldn't be like Lampard or Gerrard, who are superstars at their clubs and want the limelight at England.

If there were two balls on the pitch England would be successful but it's been proven they don't work together.

If they want somebody to do the c**p jobs for them, then I'd like to think I was capable of doing that.

Win the ball back, give it to either one of them and let them pull the strings - that's fine by me"

 

Since when has Gerrard wanted to grab the limelight playing for England? What a tool Barton is

[Rimbeux]

I think both him and Lampard play to the tabloids and not the team too often, Lampard easily more. Those pricks see everything from the point of view of highlights and spectacular moments, they really pine after them, and many England players get sucked into trying to provide them.

 

You know it plays on Gerrards mind that 'he doesn't reproduce his club form', ie where are the spectacular highlights Steven, when the reality is he often plays a different role.