What would you do about Wayne Rooney if you were Gareth Southgate?
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Updated 10/10/2016 at 12:25 GMT
The Wayne Rooney Question is looming over England once again. What will Gareth Southgate decide as he prepares the national team to face Slovenia on Tuesday?
England's interim manager Gareth Southgate (2L) looks towards England's striker Wayne Rooney
Image credit: AFP
THE SITUATION
Rooney’s performance in Saturday’s 2-0 World Cup 2018 qualifying win over Malta did not quell the debate over his decline as a player and his value to England; rather, it gave it fresh momentum. Having been retained as captain by Southgate in his first match, and handed a midfield brief, Rooney struggled to influence the game and ended up being booed by some England fans at Wembley.
There were some nice moments from Rooney as England made it two wins from two in qualifying but he slowed play down with the looping crossfield passes which are becoming his specialty, lost possession no less than 25 times against one of European football’s worst teams and was comprehensively outshone by midfield partner Jordan Henderson.
Moreover, Dele Alli scored and impressed as a No. 10 and Daniel Sturridge was also on the scoresheet as the lone centre-forward – the two other roles Rooney could feasibly play in this England team. To further add to the jeopardy for Rooney, Eric Dier is fit to return after missing the Malta game with a hamstring problem.
Reports are now emerging that Rooney will indeed lose his England place. But would it be justified to drop him? If so, who do England bring in? And if not, where should Rooney play in Southgate’s XI? It's time for you to step into the manager's shoes.
WHO WOULD YOU PLAY IN MIDFIELD?
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England's Wayne Rooney spits out water as England's Jordan Henderson looks on
Image credit: Reuters
Whether England are officially laid out in a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 formation, the imminent return of Dier means that the central area will be very congested. It is safe to assume that Dier will start: the Tottenham player was one of his country’s few impressive performers at the Euros and has added real assurance to the team since his emergence. His ability to win possession and protect the back four will be important in what could be a tricky away trip.
If Dier anchors the midfield in a 4-3-3 then it leaves two spots either side of him: one for a hard-working passer and distributor and one for someone blessed with more attacking flair, who can push on and link with the attack. If Dier plays and it’s a 4-2-3-1 then there will be room for just one other central midfielder, with another player pushing even higher up the pitch as a No. 10 (see next segment).
Alternatively, Southgate could resist Dier’s claims and keep faith with Rooney and Henderson after their performance against Malta.
Who should play in midfield for England?
Our view: Dier is indispensable and Henderson was arguably man of the match against Malta, displaying the kind of authority you expect from the Liverpool captain. Rooney’s rather unconvincing interpretation of the midfield role showed exactly why Jose Mourinho says he never wants to use him as a No. 6 or a No. 8. He has no place in our England midfield.
WHO WOULD YOU PLAY AT NO. 10?
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England's Dele Alli celebrates scoring their second goal with Wayne Rooney
Image credit: Reuters
If England do stick with the formation they used against Malta, then it will present Southgate with a big dilemma. If Dier and Henderson both start, as is widely expected, it leaves space for one No. 10: either Alli or Rooney. The Tottenham youngster certainly looked the part against Malta, even if the standard of opposition must be taken into consideration.
I’ve always been looking to get goals and assists and to do that I need to be higher up the pitch, said Alli. If I’m playing higher up the pitch it’s important I don’t get carried away and start dropping too deep and I stay in my position. Can I be the entertainer? I hope so. I like to enjoy the game and to have fun and express myself as much as I can. That’s the kind of thing that Gareth was saying to us before the game. So it suited me well.
It did. Alli showed the kind of dynamism and penetration that even Rooney concedes he no longer possesses in his arsenal. In fact, the United skipper did not have a single touch in the Malta box. He was playing deeper than Alli, admittedly, but it showed how detached Rooney has become from the attack.
Who should England play at No. 10, if they use one?
Our view: There’s no debate here whatsoever. It has to be Alli if England use an advanced playmaker.
WHO STARTS IN THE WIDE POSITIONS?
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England's Marcus Rashford in action with Malta's Bjorn Kristensen and Steve Borg (R)
Image credit: Reuters
It’s a question which has been lost amid the Rooney furore but Southgate has some decisions to take in attack. Jesse Lingard had an impressive debut against Malta – “he was outstanding,” said Southgate, “he showed really good creativity” – so looks near certain to retain his place, but Theo Walcott was unimpressive on the right after his form with Arsenal launched him back into international contention.
Marcus Rashford replaced Walcott on 68 minutes and showed some sparks of ability, while Andros Townsend and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are the other two wingers in the squad who could feasibly get a game away in Slovenia.
With Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana both missing through injury there is a chance for someone to stake a claim for a regular role – so who will get the two wide positions?
Who should play in the wide positions for England?
Our view: Lingard has to continue and Rashford’s ascent cannot be ignored. He should be thrown in from the start in a competitive game.
WHO STARTS UP FRONT?
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England's Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring their first goal with Wayne Rooney
Image credit: Reuters
Rooney’s limitations as a centre-forward are clear enough. “It's obvious I'm not as quick as I was,” he said in a recent interview, a brutally honest appraisal of his own decline. It is why at his own prompting he is trying to forge a career as a midfielder. But a man who has a record 53 goals for his country should never be entirely discounted from the lone striker’s role, even if his ability to make runs in behind a defence has now largely evaporated.
Sturridge scored a nice header against Malta but missed some other chances and there will be concerns about starting him in two successive matches given his record of injuries. Jamie Vardy replaced him for the final 17 minutes against Malta so is another option while Rashford could also be in the mix.
Who should start at centre-forward for England?
Our view: Sturridge is in possession of the shirt with Harry Kane out injured and has done nothing to justify taking it off him.
THE BIG QUESTION: SHOULD ROONEY PLAY?
Stripping out the debate over tactics and positions, everything really boils down to this one question: does Wayne Rooney deserve to start for England?
Should Gareth Southgate drop Wayne Rooney for England's game against Slovenia?
Our view: It’s a decision fraught with political problems and it took Jose Mourinho a few months to pluck up the courage, but Southgate wants his England team to be bold and it’s time for the manager to show the same quality. It’s been evident since before the Euros that England’s best team does not include Rooney – arguably the best display under Roy Hodgson came without him when they beat Germany 3-2 in a friendly last season.
Rooney no longer merits a place in this England team – and here’s how they should line up without him:
AND FINALLY... WHO SHOULD BE CAPTAIN?
If Rooney is benched then someone else will have to wear the armband. The list of contenders isn't particularly convincing, although Henry Winter made a case for Manchester City youngster John Stones in The Times today.
The City centre back loves stepping into midfield, passing and moving on, putting together a couple of dribbles but otherwise found his path blocked by Rooney demanding the ball. Popular among the players, Stones grows as a leader. His acquiring of all-round strengths under Guardiola was confirmed by his pursual of the ugly stuff, rising above Malta’s lone striker Alfred Effiong to win the ball four times (although one was a foul). England have new figureheads.
With 65 caps, Joe Hart is the next most experienced player after Rooney, who has 117, but goalkeepers are not always the best picks. Of the remaining players in the squad, it's only really Gary Cahill, Rooney's vice-captain, and Jordan Henderson, Liverpool skipper, who have the authority required.
Who should be England's captain if Rooney is dropped?
Our view: It's not a great list but Henderson is arguably the best option given his role with Liverpool. In any case, it's completely unimportant compared to the issue of which players will actually be on the pitch.
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