Across the water there had been a lot of furore across the water over comments Joey Barton has made about England and Wayne Rooney in particular in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.
Barton told the interviewer that he feels the English players aren't world class. And that included Rooney:
Rooney could have been world class but look at his mentality compared to Cristiano Ronaldo. Polar opposites.
Why does Ronaldo achieve what he achieves and Rooney doesn't? When you see Wayne Rooney smoking cigarettes, does he live his life correctly?
From the questions I've asked of players who have worked with both....he (Ronaldo) is in the gym or honing his game.
The level of discipline he has for his chosen profession is the reason he is the best player in the world at the present time, and that's the reason Rooney isn't.
Barton's criticism of Rooney was reported on various websites, prompting him to Tweet about the reaction, saying that his comments had been senstationalised.
However he did remark that, in his opinion, Rooney hasn't developed greatly since he came on the scene at Everton.
So media take one comment, one excerpt from a hour long interview and sensationalise it! Thats not been done before. ????http://t.co/GECQrQvkGQ
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014
Rooney is our best player at the moment. Put in context for me, by my definition of 'World Class', he isn't. I'm sorry thats my belief. — Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014
He is infinitely better than me. That is not the debate here. But I was never World Class, so people are missing the point. — Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014
Now shall I tell you what World Class is for me. Ronaldo and Messi. Iniesta and Suarez. WC is a term thrown about far too often.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014
Maybe Wayne was has been in WC bracket before. I would have to say now he isn't. Why? Well it isn't for the lack of talent IMO.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014
I would have to argue that he has not been better since he broke on the scene at Everton. For me thats when he stopped developing or just.. — Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014
...afterwards. As I say, he is a top player. My favourite of the current bunch. Love watching him. Old school. But not World Class IMO. — Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014
Like everything in life things need to be heard in context. If listened to properly it will difficult for educated people to disagree.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014
The interview will be broadcast at 7pm tonight. Is Barton right about Rooney or overly harsh?
