Gareth Southgate announced that Wayne Rooney will start on the bench for England’s match against Slovenia Tuesday. It’s about time.
Well, it’s official. Wayne Rooney, mere weeks after being demoted to the bench at Manchester United, has lost his starting spot on the national team.
And let’s be honest: it’s about time.
Unfortunately the sands of time have caught up with the legendary England midfielder, who has looked a shadow of his former self this season.
The boo birds were out in full force during England’s 2-0 win over Malta at home on Saturday, most of them directed at the former England captain. Sports at the highest level can be cruel and unforgiving, a fact Rooney found out first hand.
Rooney has been one of England’s best players for over a decade now and, no matter how disappointing his on-field performance was, he doesn’t deserve such harsh criticism.
It’s not the kind of birthday present Rooney, who turns 31 on Oct. 24, was hoping for. It is, however, the best move for the nation’s flailing soccer team.
His vast experience for both club and country are invaluable intangibles his leadership is predicated on. It’s crystal clear, though, that the former England captain has lost a step.
He can no longer command a match like he used to, his lack of pace and sloth-like movement are clear for even the casual observer to see. Fans around the world will be sad to see the English talisman depart from soccer’s biggest stage.
Interim manager Gareth Southgate didn’t take the decision lightly, saying there’s a depth to Rooney’s leadership most people are completely unaware of.
“He’s almost like a coach within the dressing room and that’s a complement to his football intelligence and what’s right for the group.”
Rooney made his international debut against Australia on Feb. 12, 2003 at the tender age of 17. He has scored 53 goals in 115 international games, and stands atop the England goal-scoring charts, ahead of other England greats Sir Bobby Charlton (49 goals), Gary Lineker (48 goals) and Jimmy Greaves (44 goals).
Southgate has named Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson as captain for tomorrow’s World Cup Qualifier against Slovenia.
Eric Dier, Tottenham’s 22-year-old defensive midfield specialist, will take Rooney’s spot versus Slovenia. Dier doesn’t distribute the ball as well as Rooney, but he has the speed, versatility, tenacity and physical prowess required to dictate play at this level.
A new era has begun on the England soccer scene and it will take some time to get used to watching the Three Lions play without Rooney.
Only time will tell if this personnel change will spearhead an English revival and drastically change their on-field results.
Unfortunately I don’t think one move, no matter how symbolic, will greatly improve the team’s chances of finally winning a tournament. Three Lions’ supporters will have to continue waiting patiently for a chance to end their 50-year drought on the international soccer stage.