(Pic : 90mins.com)
Wazza is a certified legend, even Liverpool fans can't deny that. His achievements are as numerous as they are awesome. He is England's highest goalscorer while also being the captain of the national team and his club side Manchester United. He is also the second highest goalscorer in the history of the premier league (behind Shearer of course) and is only six goals away from being the highest goalscorer in Man Utd history. He has scored the most goals for a single club in the league and is the second highest goalscorer of away goals in the league. This same guy scored a goal that has been recognised as the best goal since the premier league began, talk less of all the trophies he has won! Every football fan, young and old, has dreamt of being Wayne Rooney regardless of what club they support. You've seen a kid at the park with a jersey that says Rooney on the back and heard another one shout his name before executing an exquisite volley or after scoring a wonderful goal. I'll tell you this though, I wouldn't have wanted to be him these past few months.
With the Euro 2016 tournament coming up in the summer, it's only normal that football fans start to rave about what teams can win the tournament and what players will best do their nations proud. At the center of such discussions and debates for England is Wayne Rooney. Should he or shouldn't he be in England's first XI? Four years ago, even two years ago, this wouldn't have been a discussion but this year, with the emergence of younger, talented players in Rooney's position(s) coupled with his poor form, it is the hot topic and almost the only topic of discussion. Spurs striker Harry Kane has scored 60 goals in two seasons for the club and is decidedly the hottest young striker in the world right now, while Jamie Vardy's 22 goals in the league have fired Leicester to the brink of the title. 20 year old attacking midfielder, Dele Alli, has just been named the PFA young player of the year and also selected into the PFA team of the year while Rooney on the other hand has scored just 14 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions this season.
Will these two start for England at Euro 2016? (Pic: Squawka.com)
Looking at those hard facts, the arguments being made to leave him out of the starting XI are understandable. Where will he fit in and which of those three will be on the bench instead? The problem, however, is the way these arguments are being made, they are more like tirades than reasonable arguments. Rooney has been attacked on social media by 'fans' saying he's past his prime and some even go as far as saying he should be left out of the team altogether, which is just simply ridiculous. His own son reportedly requested a jersey with Vardy's name on it. Nothing wrong with that of course, he's just a kid milking the excitement of Premier league football but it must have hurt a bit...even the tiniest bit. It's like saying 'Dad, it's true, you're now sorta obsolete.' A good number of football pundits are also of the same view! Yes, he has clearly been poor this season and nowhere near his best but he is still the team captain and deserves a lot more respect. Doubting and disrespecting him the way the fans have could make England look weak and divided to other countries in the tournament. The England players obviously trust, respect and even look up to him but the fans' support is always key. They are the '12th man'. Former England captain and Rooney's long time club rival, Steven Gerrard, jumped to his defence. Amongst other things said, he asked this question "if there's a penalty in the last 10 minutes to progress out of a group and into the last 16 or a quarter-final, who would you want to take it?" A lot of people will be quick to say Harry Kane could take it, which he could, but taking a penalty in such a crucial moment, at such a big stage is not just about having the technique and precision to put it away, it's also about having a cool head and not letting the pressure get to you. Will Kane or Vardy be able to shake off the nerves should such a situation present itself? Wayne Rooney can because aside from having the technique, he has something even more important - experience. He has been there before. He has been to several international tournaments and, therefore, will not be overwhelmed by the occasion. Experience is his trump card. Furthermore, I think Wayne Rooney on a good day will be the best player on his team and maybe even the pitch regardless of what position he plays. This is a guy who has the respect of his peers and those who have hung up their boots...those who know the game. Lionel Messi recently called him the best English player of his generation. Leaving him out of the starting XI is surely a high risk.
Can Captain Wazza lead England to Glory? (Pic: Mirror Uk)
Now, all that being said, I'll be the first to admit he's not the striker he once was. He's lost pace and seems to be slower with his decision-making in front of goal. Last year, Barca's erstwhile midfield maestro, Xavi, stated that Rooney must drop into the midfield to prolong his career. Peter Schmeichel also made that suggestion recently, saying that Rooney possesses all the qualities for the role if only he'd be willing to play it. I agree with that suggestion and apparently so does Van Gaal and Rooney himself. He has successfully played that role in United's last three matches, one of which was the thrilling FA Cup semi-final against Everton at Wembley. Rooney pulled the strings for United from midfield and even made a superb goal line clearance in the first half. In the end United ran out 2-1 victors, thanks to a last minute winner courtesy of Anthony Martial. The drop into midfield will give younger, faster and hungrier forwards like Martial and Marcus Rashford a chance to cause the havoc Rooney himself did up front when he first arrived at Manchester United as an 18 year old. It's all for the betterment of the team, which is all that matters and what is Rooney if not selfless? He's got all the right qualities to emulate Paul Scholes in the center of the park - stamina, vision, technique, passing range, a creative mind, passion, work rate and the aforementioned selflessness. It's still early days and he'll have to hold his own in his new role against tougher teams but so far, so good for Wayne Rooney the central midfielder. He might even adjust so well to the position that he plays there for England at the Euros and it could turn out to be a stroke of genius at just the right time. Form is temporary, class is permanent. Don't write Wayne Rooney off just yet!
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