At the current moment in time, no player in Premier League history has featured in more matches than Gareth Barry.A career that started at Aston Villa and took him to West Bromwich Albion, with spells at Manchester City and Everton in between, ended in 2018 with a staggering 653 games on the copybook.However, seven years on, that record is now under threat.James Milner is closing in, with the 39-year-old still going strong at Brighton. After stints with Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool, he’s now just seven games short. 2026 should see him finally overtake his former teammate.Barry could be forgiven for feeling miffed. It is, after all, never nice to see a record taken by somebody else. Just ask Ryan Giggs, who saw his own tally overtaken following his retirement in 2014.But that isn’t the case. Speaking exclusively to GB News, via OLBG, the 44-year-old said he will be pleased to see Milner jump ahead.”Upset!” he joked when asked about the imminent passing of the torch. “No, I’m really proud of the games I played.”Having played with James at Villa, Man City and England, and he’s a good friend, I know how hard he’s worked and he’s left no stone unturned. Gareth Barry played alongside James Milner for England, Manchester City and Aston Villa | PA”He is the ultimate professional, so if James is to pass it, it’s going to someone that fully deserves it because he’s getting every ounce out of the career that he deserves, because he’s putting the maximum effort in.”Now with that, he’s got quality as well. That’s not to be underrated.”In addition to Villa and City, Barry and Milner also played together for England.Excitement and anticipation is already building ahead of next summer’s World Cup, with the Three Lions recently learning they’ll be facing Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stages.Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWSBut the big question is whether Thomas Tuchel will go with Jude Bellingham, whose combative attitude has raised eyebrows, or the in-form Morgan Rogers.Rogers is elevating his level with each passing game. His exploits have driven Villa towards the top of the Premier League table.Yet Bellingham’s quality is undeniable. Barry, however, thinks Rogers has the edge because of the consistency he’s showing.”I think at the moment, the way the season’s going, he’s definitely been the more consistent performer out of the two,” added the Premier League icon.”He’s got the shirt as well at the moment, so it’s probably Morgan’s to give away. If he can finish the season strongly, I think that position could be Morgan’s.”It’s a long way to go before the World Cup. A lot can happen, but it’s not a case of competing with Jude.”I still think there’s a position in the midfield that they can play together. But in terms of that number 10, he’s certainly the one I enjoy watching.”He’s a bit different to the rest. He carries the ball from deep right upfield a lot quicker, a lot smoother than the other players and his vision to find that pass to the No 9 is second to none.Morgan Rogers has been nothing short of sensational for club and country | PA”So for me, Morgan, yeah, he’s definitely in there with a shout and it could be his position for the World Cup.”One player who is not a certainty to make the plane, though, is Jack Grealish.The forward has started to rebuild his career at Everton following a difficult couple of years at Manchester City. Still, he isn’t currently to Tuchel’s liking.Yet Barry thinks that is the German is feeling bold and brave – which you need to be in order to win the World Cup – then Grealish could yet make the cut.”There’s so many options when you run through them and unfortunately he’s not had a look under the new manager but he’s different to the rest,” he said.”I think the problem he’s got, the England manager seems to like the direct players that go down the outside a bit more, a bit more pace.”Jack’s slightly different. But in terms of him being different, that’s possibly why he could be on the, he could be on the plane.”Listen, it’s going to be difficult for Jack now. He’s definitely good enough. Good enough character to be in that dressing room. So that’s why I say keep going right to the end of the season because you never know.”