The midfielder believes the Three Lions' stars would be shoo-ins for Pep Guardiola's European champions and insists that English players have sufficient technical ability
By Joel Lamy
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 their Spanish counterparts last Sunday, where they snatched a point with a late equaliser in a game in which they were 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 100mph 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 their 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."
Rodwell was responding to criticisms about England Under-21’s performance against their Spanish counterparts last Sunday, where they snatched a point with a late equaliser in a game in which they were 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 100mph 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 their 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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