Pearce: England the only country who would write off leading goalscorer Rooney

England are the only country in the world who would write off their leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney so quickly, according to former England star Stuart Pearce. 

Rooney has scored 52 goals for The Three Lions during his 13-year international career, but endured his worst-ever Premier League season in front of goal this term, managing eight goals with Manchester United.

Roy Hodgson’s side open their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia on Saturday and despite the form of Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy, Pearce, who won 78 caps for England from 1987 to 1999, thinks captain Rooney should be in the starting line-up.

“We’re probably the only country in the world that would write off somebody who’s our leading goalscorer that quickly,” Pearce, speaking as an ambassador for Carlsberg’s ‘If Carlsberg Did Substitutions’ UEFA EURO 2016™ campaign.

“He’ll play a big part. He’ll start the first game, no doubt in my mind about that and he’s got a big part to play in the group on and off the football pitch.

“He’s certainly worth a place in the squad and like all football squads, everyone fights for a place in the team.”

Wayne Rooney scored one of England’s two goals at the 2014 World Cup.

Rooney, 30, has played for England at three World Cups and two European Championships, but has never been able to translate his best form into tournaments.

However, former England under-21 manager Pearce believes that as long as Hodgson has faith in him, his place in the side is unquestioned.

“Well, it’s one person’s opinion that counts and that’s Roy Hodgson,” said Pearce.

 

“He’s got a lot of confidence in him as a player, he looks to his leadership in the group as well. It’s quite a young team, the youngest on average age at the tournament, you need experience within that group.”

Rooney overtook Sir Bobby Charlton’s goalscoring record in September with a penalty in a Euro qualifier against Switzerland, and at the age of 30 he is likely to extend his record further.

However, there is real debate surrounding his place in England’s starting line-up in France, with the question of how Hodgson can fit the Premier League’s top two scorers and his captain in the same team.

The England manager played Rooney in the number 10 role in the 1-0 friendly win over Portugal, but the midfield diamond didn’t work, with Kane and Vardy forced wide out of possession.

With fit-again Daniel Sturridge and the exciting talent of Marcus Rashford also to think about, as well as the possibility of playing Rooney in midfield, Hodgson has many things to consider when it comes to his captain.

CREDIT TO:http://www.squawka.com/news/stuart-pearce-england-only-country-who-would-write-off-leading-goalscorer-wayne-rooney/690160