Everton boss Roberto Martinez feels his side’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham was a game that boded well for England ahead of Euro 2016.
Toffees duo Ross Barkley and John Stones and Spurs’ Harry Kane each made notable contributions to an absorbing Premier League encounter at Goodison Park, while the latter’s team-mate Dele Alli was widely seen as the man of the match.
That youthful foursome – along with several others who were involved, including Tottenham’s 21-year-old Eric Dier – are aiming to be part of England’s squad for the Euros in France this summer.
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In all half of the players on the pitch – 11 of 22 – were English which in itself is something of a rarity for the Premier League these days.
And Martinez said: “It was a joy to see so many English players on both sides with young ages but big roles in the game.
“You could see players that probably wouldn’t get opportunities in other teams in this league.
“It is the best league in world football, but sometimes you need to be a bit patient.
“What you are seeing now is such a variety of good young English players.
“You don’t get many opportunities of having generations with players like Ross Barkley, John Stones, Harry Kane and Dele Alli – a large pool of players with something to offer, but very, very different. The options are huge.
“It is important they play in games like this, that they develop and that they can then bring experience, because at the end of the day, the psychological aspect of a player in big tournaments is important.”
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino admits Alli needs to be handled with care but can see no reason why the teenage midfielder cannot continue to star for Spurs for the rest of the season.
Tottenham are great to watch right now. Anyone remember when people used to talk up Roberto Martinez as much as Mauricio Pochettino?
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) January 3, 2016
The 19-year-old, signed from third-tier MK Dons 11 months ago, has surpassed all expecations this season and his Argentine boss has no qualms about continuing to play him.
Pochettino, who has started Alli in all but one of Tottenham’s Premier League games since early September, described his goal on Sunday as “fantastic”, before adding: “From the beginning we have had to take care with him.
“That is important when they are young, to handle them in a good way.’’
The manager then, when asked if he could see Alli coping with continuing to play in the team every week for the rest of the season, said: “Yes – if he shows in every training session he deserves to play, why not?’’
Everton, meanwhile, take on Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final tomorrow night, but Martinez has revealed the game has come too soon for England defender Phil Jagielka, who is close to returning from a knee injury.
