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Frank Lampard (Supplied)
Cape Town - England vice captain Frank Lampard believes there are plenty of
comparisons that can be drawn between Ross Barkley and Wayne Rooney.
Barkley has been fast tracked to stardom in the Premier League following some superb displays for Everton last season, something Rooney also achieved as an 18-year when coming up through the Toffees' youth ranks.
Lampard, though, believes the similarities between the England internationals go far beyond just that, saying: "There's a lot of similarities in there, in their build, where they come from and where they play. You can't deny that.
"Again, it's that fearlessness of youth. I see the similarities: great ability on the ball, running at people with the ball, and that's what you want to see.
"I think he's got the bit between his teeth. He's more number 10 than I ever was but he's very good at receiving the ball and turning quickly.
"He's only going to get better. That's his first start so considering that when you look at him and what he's done, he's made the second goal and shown enough there that we can say that he deserves his place in the squad and he's a great addition.
"We go to Brazil next week and hopefully he's going to be confident which is great.
"I don't think the manager would pick any player that he doesn't believe can start a game. That's a manager's choice.
"The good thing is that you've got a few of them lining up, putting in performances. Ox (Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain) did it, Raheem Sterling has done it with his performances for Liverpool and glimpses of Barkley. That's a great problem for the manager."
Barkley has been fast tracked to stardom in the Premier League following some superb displays for Everton last season, something Rooney also achieved as an 18-year when coming up through the Toffees' youth ranks.
Lampard, though, believes the similarities between the England internationals go far beyond just that, saying: "There's a lot of similarities in there, in their build, where they come from and where they play. You can't deny that.
"Again, it's that fearlessness of youth. I see the similarities: great ability on the ball, running at people with the ball, and that's what you want to see.
"I think he's got the bit between his teeth. He's more number 10 than I ever was but he's very good at receiving the ball and turning quickly.
"He's only going to get better. That's his first start so considering that when you look at him and what he's done, he's made the second goal and shown enough there that we can say that he deserves his place in the squad and he's a great addition.
"We go to Brazil next week and hopefully he's going to be confident which is great.
"I don't think the manager would pick any player that he doesn't believe can start a game. That's a manager's choice.
"The good thing is that you've got a few of them lining up, putting in performances. Ox (Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain) did it, Raheem Sterling has done it with his performances for Liverpool and glimpses of Barkley. That's a great problem for the manager."
