Season › 2013-14 › News Martinez urges patience regarding Barkley Lyndon Lloyd , 15 May, 0comments | Jump to most recent Roberto Martinez has sought to temper expectation surrounding Ross Barkley following the 20 year-old's inclusion in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad England squad for the World Cup. Having been humbled by the dynamism and youth of Germany's team in South Africa four years ago, many followers of the English national team have welcomed the inclusion of some of the nation's younger talent like Barkley, Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Pundits like Gary Lineker, England's goalscoring hero of the 1986 and 1990 Finals, have added to the growing anticipation by likening Barkley to Paul Gascoigne but while Martinez believes Barkley is ready for the experience of his first World Cup but has urged Hodgson's team to protect him. "My message to every English fan and supporter in general is that we should embrace the younger generation who have been called up by the England manager," Martinez told PA Sport. "But we have to understand we carry a responsibility of allowing the young players to have a positive experience, whatever that is." The Everton boss cautions the nation against expecting too much from a player who, with just one full Premier League season under his belt, is still a rough diamond, albeit a potential jewel in Everton's — and England's — crown. "You can never get an experience like playing in a World Cup too soon if you are ready and Ross is ready,'' Martinez continued. "What is important is, as a nation, we have a responsibility to look after a young man who goes to the World Cup with the only intention of helping England be as good as they can. "He is still young and we have to protect him. If we protect him well we are talking about a potential world-class talent." "But it is down to us to allow him time and a little bit of a path to fulfil his potential with England. Martinez, who will reprise his 2010 role as an in-studio expert for ESPN's US coverage of the World Cup, concluded: "We shouldn't expect Ross Barkley, at the age of 20, to go into a World Cup and be someone who has to win games singlehandedly. That would be very wrong.'' "Whatever they bring to this World Cup is a bonus. We should be looking further ahead to see the results of these youngsters. Experience in a World Cup has to be a positive one whatever the results are. About these ads © ToffeeWeb