Wayne Rooney has backed forgotten England forwards Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney to play a 'big role' at the World Cup, insisting manager Thomas Tuchel must rotate his squad to preserve first-choice stars for the latter stages.
Rooney Warns of Fatigue Risk to Key Players
Writing on his BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England captain pointed out that Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and other starters cannot be expected to play every match without risking injury or burnout. 'It's going to be very difficult for all those players to play all the games to go to the final,' Rooney said. 'Hopefully those players are ready. That's my only concern.'
England have used a largely unchanged spine in their first five matches: Jordan Pickford, Ezri Konsa, Elliot Anderson, Bellingham, and Kane have all started every game. Declan Rice, a guaranteed starter when fit, missed the final group game against Panama with a calf problem. The Three Lions advanced to the quarter-finals after a gritty 2-1 win over DR Congo and a memorable 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca.
Right-Back Headache for Tuchel
Rooney also addressed the ongoing right-back dilemma. With Tino Livramento and Reece James injured, Jarell Quansah started against Mexico but was sent off and suspended. Rooney urged Tuchel to start Djed Spence against Norway. 'For me, Djed Spence [should start]. I don't like to see centre-backs out there if I'm being honest. If you've got a right-back there, there's a reason he's been brought to the World Cup,' he said.
Spence impressed when he came on against Croatia, though Rooney noted he struggled when deployed at left-back. His preferred lineup for the Norway clash includes Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon on the wings, with Rice and Anderson in midfield and Bellingham just off Kane.
Watkins and Toney Could Be Key
Rooney believes the demanding schedule will open doors for squad players. 'I still think Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney have got a big role to play at this tournament. I know Ivan Toney hasn't played a minute,' he said. He also expressed surprise that Kobbie Mainoo has yet to feature, but acknowledged that Rice and Anderson's prominence blocks his path in midfield.
Looking ahead to Saturday's quarter-final against Norway at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium (10pm BST), Rooney wants to see England's midfield pair stay closer together for better control. 'I think it's really important that Rice and Anderson stay next to each other. I think we've ended up with Rice in front of him and then Anderson has a lot of ground to cover,' he explained.
Rooney Backs England to Win
Despite some concerns, Rooney remains confident in his pre-tournament prediction that England will lift the trophy. 'I said before the tournament that I think England will win it,' he said. 'But when you come up against a Spain or a France or an Argentina, if we go and chase those players who are technically very good, we will struggle. If we stay in our shape and allow them to have the ball in front of us, we've got players who can hurt teams on the break.'
The winner of England vs Norway will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals. Rooney expects Kane and Bellingham to be instrumental, having awarded Bellingham a perfect 10 for his display against Mexico. 'Harry Kane is the talisman of this team, he's the goalscorer and if we win it I think it will be because of Harry Kane,' he said. 'But Jude Bellingham is going to have a game where we're going to need him to drive us through.'
