June 12th 2024.
Wayne Rooney recently expressed his concerns about England's centre-back pairing for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. As a former player who has represented his country in six major tournaments, Rooney is worried about Gareth Southgate's decision to leave out key players like Harry Maguire due to injury.
Rooney even went as far as selecting his ideal starting line-up for England's first match against Serbia this weekend. He believes that the absence of Maguire and Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, who was not included in the 26-man squad, will be a major blow to the team's defence.
"I'm really surprised that Branthwaite is not in the squad," Rooney said on The Overlap. "He's a great player who brings balance to the team. He's good with his feet, has played on loan in Holland and is a strong, aggressive player. It's a shock to me that he's not on the team, especially with Maguire out."
Rooney also expressed his disappointment with Southgate's decision to play Kieran Trippier at left-back. Although it may be a guarantee for the team, Rooney believes that Trippier has not been performing well this season and should be replaced.
"I think Trippier will start, but he's been really poor this season. He's had injuries, but even in the recent match against Iceland, he didn't impress me. He has to play, but he hasn't been playing at his best for Newcastle," Rooney shared.
In addition to his concerns with the defence, Rooney also suggested starting Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon on England's left flank. He believes that Gordon's unique playing style, where he runs off the ball and creates space for other players, will be beneficial for the team.
"He's different from the other players. He runs off the ball, makes runs behind the defenders, and is not afraid to take on players. He also has the ability to hold the width, which is important for creating opportunities in attack," Rooney explained.
Rooney's starting XI for England's first match includes Jordan Pickford in goal, with Kyle Walker, John Stones, Marc Guehi, and Kieran Trippier in defence. In midfield, he selected Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden, with Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, and Anthony Gordon leading the attack.
As Rooney shared his thoughts and concerns about England's team, fans are eagerly waiting to see how Southgate's team will perform in their first match against Serbia. With Rooney's extensive experience and knowledge in the game, his opinions hold weight and could prove to be crucial for England's success in the tournament.
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