I’m the best midfielder in England, says born again Barton

JOEY BARTON has called himself England’s best midfielder and hit out at England coach Fabio Capello for choosing Gareth Barry instead of him at the World Cup.

The outspoken Newcastle midfielder has also broken his four-year silence about the training-ground clash with Ousmane Dabo, explained the reasons for his drinking problems, what he learnt during his spell in prison, why he is already thinking about his legacy, and outlined his desire to be a coach in future.

“I think I am the best English midfielder. Modric and Nasri are very good. But of the English ones, Wilshere is not bad. Lampard is on the way down, Gerrard is often injured, and as for Gareth Barry? Did you see the game against Germany during the World Cup? If you look at the fourth goal, Ozil running against Barry, it’s like the hare and the tortoise. I think Barry has a very good agent. He is discreet, he won’t go to see a manager to say he doesn’t agree. He always agrees. He is a bit like the pupil who sits in the front row. When I play against him, I sleep tight (before the game), no problem. Gerrard, he is dangerous, but Barry, no problem.”