England Watch - Giles Barnes
Barnes has been integral in Derby's successful Championship campaign
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Wednesday, 07, Mar 2007 05:00
When it comes to England's future in midfield, many critics are obsessed with the debate that continues to rumble on over whether Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard can play together.
Then, in World Cup 2006, Owen Hargreaves came along and added his name to the mix.
Include Manchester United holding player Michael Carrick and you have a number of good options to choose from in the middle of the park.
But when it comes to the real future of the England midfield (ie World Cup 2010 and beyond), few are aware of the kind of talents that are plying their trade outside the Premiership.
And the first of these players to catch the eye this season, according to InTheNews' Alistair Potter, has been Derby County teenager Giles Barnes.
Name: Giles Barnes
Position: Midfielder
Club: Derby County
Age by South Africa 2010: 21
At just 18 years of age, Giles Barnes is still a very new addition to the ranks of full-time professionals in England and consequently is a world away from an international call-up - for now at least.
He signed as a trainee with the Rams in August 2005 but before long the young midfielder had surged into contention for the first team.
His chances to impress as part of the first XI have been very good because he is playing in the second tier of English football - meaning his footballing education has been a little more hands-on than many young players who are frequently left to plough their furrow in a Premiership side's reserves.
Barnes' ability sets him apart from many other young midfielders. He is a bustling and hard-working player with an eye for goal and is highly-rated among Championship observers and opposition managers alike.
If a well-known comparison was needed for the Derby youngster it would be former team-mate and current Tottenham Hotspur starlet Tom Huddlestone, who has been receiving rave reviews for his performances in the heart of the Spurs team this term.
Indeed it was the north London side that led the bidding war for Barnes' signature in the January transfer window, reportedly trying to land the promising teenager with a bid in the region of £3 million - a substantial price-tag for an 18-year-old from the Championship.
However, Derby manager Billy Davies has made no secret of his desire to keep the marauding midfielder in his squad for this year's promotion push.
It could be that Barnes embarks on the next stage of his development if Derby manage to maintain their current league position and win promotion to the Premiership next year.
If they are successful in this quest it will be due in no small part to the performances of Barnes.
Regarding the youngster's World Cup chances in 2010, much depends on the course his career takes in the next year or so.
Provided he is given an opportunity to show his skills at the top level of domestic club football, Barnes will have every chance to make a case for a Theo Walcott-like rise into the ranks of the international squad in time to make the trip to South Africa.
With Derby, or if the side miss out on going up this year, perhaps another established Premiership side like Spurs or Newcastle - another club allegedly courting his signature in January - Barnes clearly has a big future.
The only question is whether 2010 is too early for him, although if it is that may then turn into a reason for optimism for England's potential in 2014 and beyond.
England's 2010 World Cup squad
*Players in bold - tickets to South Africa booked already
Goalkeepers
Paul Robinson
Possibles: Chris Kirkland, Ben Foster, Rob Green, Scott Carson
Defenders
John Terry, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher
Possibles: Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards, Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Anton Ferdinand, Leighton Baines, Justin Hoyte, Curtis Davies, Wes Brown, Phil Bardsley, Michael Mancienne
Midfielders
Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick
Possibles: Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, Nigel Reo-Coker, Lee Cattermole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stewart Downing, Giles Barnes, James Morrison, Kieran Richardson
Forwards
Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen
Possibles: David Nugent, Theo Walcott, James Vaughan, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Darren Bent, Dean Ashton, Cameron Jerome