This is the list of Midfield Players ahead of him for the England Squad. (All of whom have played in the centre of Midfield for England)
Gerrard
Lampard
Hargreaves
Beckham
Dyer
Joe Cole
Jenas
P Neville
Nolan
Parker
Richardson
Butt
Look out for Barton taking out all of them during the season (accidentally of course

)