Should Joey Barton be selected by England?

Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has came out in the press today claiming that he is worthy of a place Fabio Capello’s England squad.

The badboy of English football Barton has been involved in numerous incidents in the past which have tarnished his image.

Better

He thinks his recent good form should be enough to get him in that England squad.

He told Sky Sports Soccer Saturday programme: “I don’t think anyone’s playing better than me in the country. That’s an honest answer, not a big-headed answer.

“I’m a keen football fan and watch football and there are probably six or seven midfielders getting in the squad for an England game and I certainly don’t think there are two players playing better than me – English players – at the minute.

“But obviously with me it’s not all about football, is it? When Fabio Capello came in he said he was going to pick form players and I don’t think he’s done that.”

Right

Barton definitely has a point about Capello’s selection methods. It is something which has annoyed me as well. When he came in he said he would pick players on form rather than big reputation. Yet the same old players seem to appear in the England squad on reputation. The problem with Barton is that that he has a negative reputation.

Barton is probably in the best form of his career and if he was anybody else he probably would have been called up to the England team. Although he has now helped himself by the number of serious incidents he has involved himself in.

The 28 year-old has won just one cap to date in 2007 against Spain. I believe he should now be given the chance for the Three Lions. He has not done his chances of getting selected any good with these comments though.

Fabio Capello’s side haven’t exactly been in superb form in recent games. He definitely needs some new faces and if Barton can control his temper he should be selected. Football games are won on what happens on the pitch, not what happens off it.

Incidents

There has been a long catalogue of incidents involving Barton which include serving a jail sentence for assault in 2007. In July 2008 he was also given a suspended sentence for attacking ex-Manchester City teammate Ousmane Dabo in training.

He obviously has anger management issues and a temper which he finds hard to control. He has to be commended for his attempts to change and get help with his issues though.

Improved

He has tried to improve his image in recent years and slightly improved it but mud sticks I’m afraid. He did tarnish that a little earlier this season by punching Blackburn midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen in the chest. I think he has probably matured in the past year or so.

Linked

Barton’s form has lead to speculation linking the midfielder with a move elsewhere. Aston Villa and West Ham are both believed to be interested in signing the ex-Manchester City star. He has 18 months left to run on his contract at St James Park.

Newcastle are keen to give Barton a new deal. I think the midfielder should stay at St James Park. He seems to have found a second home in Newcastle and is in good form. He has no need to think about moving anywhere else. And Villa and West Ham are both a step down from Newcastle at the moment.

Opportunity

Like him or dislike him Joey Barton has undoubted talent and maybe it is time for him to be given a chance to show he has grown up in the last couple of years. However maybe he has now thrown his last chance of an England call-up away with his comments.

Should Joey Barton be in the next England squad?