Ross Barkley & Kevin De Bruyne : continental playmakers

England stuttered for almost 45 minutes against Estonia last night.

Then Barkley threaded a wonderpass through the legs of a defender, into Walcott’s run for 1-0.

Then Engerland stuttered for  another 40 in the second half, although twinkletoes Lallana tried to lift it.

Ross Barkley is strong enough, and technical enough, to play in the Italian team.

Raheem Sterling, who is never a left winger, should play in the hole.

We saw that when sub Jamie Vary broke down the left onto a flick-on by Harry Kane, and set up the agile, brave Sterling for 2-0 in 85.

9 wins in 9 Qualifiers is a fine record but we haven’t played anybody good since the World Cup.

Where for the first time ever, England did not win a game.

Kevin De Bruyne has been the best player in Belgium for years, according to some insiders there.

They are surprised we rate Hazard so highly, although I love Hazard and think he deserved Footballer of the Year.

KDB is a hugely constructive footballer who plays in his own time, who sees everything, who can finish moves as well as start them.

He’s been phenomenally productive for Man City this season.

Last season, playing for Wolfsburg, Kevin De Bruyne was the Bundesliga’s Player of the Year.