Mauricio Pochettino believes that Southampton's Adam Lallana is unlike any player in England, but has compared him to Barcelona stars such as Andres Iniesta.

The 25-year-old has scored 10 goals this season to help the Saints to eighth in the Premier League and force his way into Roy Hodgson's England squad.

Lallana has impressed many with his performances, and Pochettino has gone as far as to mention him in the same breath as Champions League and World Cup-winning midfielders from the Camp Nou.

"Adam is special, he is a very unique player," the Saints boss told reporters. "There is not another player in the country like him.

"Lately he has had a number of opportunities to get into the England national side so that is a very good thing for him.

"I am always telling him that he has the characteristics of a Spanish player and he has the skills of an [Andres] Iniesta, Xavi or [Cesc] Fabregas."

Lallana made his Southampton debut in 2006 after graduating from the club's academy.