Former England striker Wayne Rooney believes that the absence of experienced players like Harry Maguire, Jack Grealish, and Marcus Rashford could have made a difference for the team at Euro 2024. Maguire was unable to be selected due to injury, while Rashford and Grealish did not make the final cut for the squad. Despite finishing at the top of their group with five points, England has faced criticism for some lacklustre performances in Germany.
Rooney expressed his concerns about the lack of experience in the squad when it was first announced by manager Gareth Southgate. While many fans, pundits, and journalists were pleased with the squad selection, Rooney was one of the few who questioned the absence of more seasoned players. He emphasized the importance of having players with previous experience and success representing England on the international stage.
The former striker pointed out that although players like Grealish and Rashford did not have the best seasons leading up to the tournament, their experience and past performances for England could have made a difference in crucial moments. Rooney highlighted the significance of having a mix of both young talent and seasoned veterans in the squad for major tournaments like the Euros.
To hear more of Rooney’s insights on the England squad and their performance at Euro 2024, listeners can tune into the full episode on BBC Sounds. Rooney’s perspective sheds light on the importance of balancing youth with experience in national teams and the impact it can have on a team’s performance in high-stakes competitions.