England should not hang their hats on striker/midfielder Wayne Rooney as they have two better options in midfield and at forward
England face a difficult test in their second group stage match against Wales, not just in terms of facing their noisy neighbors, but in terms of its effect on the group. The Three Lions gave up a last minute goal and two points against Russia but if they hope to beat Wales they must drop Wayne Rooney from the lineup.
It was clear from the start of the Euro 2016 prep period that Roy Hodgson would not start Rooney at the striker position. He has three better options in Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, and Daniel Sturridge that can play up top and all three had better seasons than the England captain.
Rather than play him up front, Hodgson deployed Rooney in midfield at a position where he believes he has the best long-term future in. Against a weak Russian midfield Rooney was able to find space and time on the ball and was moderately effective.
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His footballing brain is still in great shape if not his body but he still could not do enough to ensure victory for the Three Lions. Rooney also had one of the best chances of the match with a clear look at goal from the top of the box but he fluffed his lines uncharacteristically, perhaps a sign of rust after an injury-plagued season.
Against better midfields such as Wales or even Slovakia, Rooney will not have the luxury of all that space and time he had against the Russians. He will get exposed for his lack of pace and his touch and technique is not good enough against a side that presses him.
For that reason, Roy Hodgson must make the tough call of leaving his captain on the bench and selecting Jack Wilshere or Ross Barkley instead. Germany and Joachim Low have done this with Bastian Schweinsteiger and have proven that a captain can lead in training and from the touchline.
As for his replacements, Jack Wilshere has the technical ability and creativity that Rooney often lacks and Barkley has a dash of creativity along with bundles of physicality and pace.
Wilshere is the likelier selection against teams that may sit back and allow England to play, like Russia, but against the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, and the rest of the Wales midfield, a more physical player is needed. Ross Barkley must be the man selected in place of Rooney if England hope to win the midfield battle.
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Hodgson has already showed nerve by selecting several youngsters in his squad so far and they have paid back his faith with goals and excellent defensive play so far. Now he must show even more courage and use England’s all-time leading goalscorer as a super-sub or not at all.