Thaindian News

London, May 11 (ANI): Wayne Rooney has fended off speculation that he will be the keystone in the English campaign at the FIFA World Cup saying that “one player doesn’t make a team”.

“One player doesn’t make a team and we have got a lot of players who can win you a match out of nothing, not just me. We’ll need that to make sure we do well. The only way you can perform at your best if you have the service and support of your team-mates,” mirrorfootball.co.uk quoted the striker as saying.

Rooney is being hailed as the one-man marvel who will bring home the Cup. However, he believes that England has a variety of alternatives, and the synergy of the team will propel their World Cup performance.

Players like Emile Heskey, a regular in the English side who just completed a glowing run at the qualifiers as one of the highest scorers in Europe will also be crucial in determining how the team will fare.

Tottenham strikers Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe are expected to make the cut along with a more experienced Theo Walcott.

Elaborating on the each player’s unique strength, Rooney told FourFourTwo magazine, “They are all different players who offer different things to the team. Jermain’s always in the box, looking for that chance to create space and get a shot off. Emile holds the ball up so well and brings other players into the game, so I can play off him. And Crouchy’s scored a lot of goals and is a real handful to mark. They all bring different qualities to the side.”

“It’s about the team - you win with the team, you lose with the team and I’ve always said I don’t go out looking for personal awards. If they happen then I’m really happy but what I look for are medals with my team,” he said.

“Spain and Brazil are the favourites but behind them there are a host of teams who can win it, including ourselves, but also Italy, Germany, Argentina and Holland,” he added. (ANI)