Very strange – Rooney criticizes Southgate for not playing England’s best player

 

Former England striker, Wayne Rooney, has criticized manager Gareth Southgate for not featuring the Three Lions’ ‘best player’ against the USA.

Rooney described Southgate’s decision not to start Foden against the USA as very strange.

Recall that Southgate did not feature the Manchester City star in England’s World Cup goalless draw against the USA on Friday.

However, speaking ahead of England’s World Cup tie with Wales on Tuesday, Rooney wants Southgate to start Foden in their next match.

“I found it very strange that Foden did not come on as a substitute against the USA, and as I wrote in these pages before the tournament, he would be a key part of my starting XI if I were the England boss. Technically, he’s the best footballer England have,” Rooney told the Times.

“I think if you’ve a talent like Foden, you simply have to play him. He’s now a different player from the one we saw at Euro 2020 when he struggled to make an impact.

“He’s more mature and came into this tournament on the back of a long period of brilliant performances for Manchester City. If I were him, I would be very frustrated that I did not get on the pitch at any stage of Friday’s game.”