Rooney should play up front alone in World Cup: Lineker
April 24th, 2010 - 4:34 pm ICT by ANILondon, Apr 24(ANI): Former England footballer Gary Lineker believes that striker Wayne Rooney should play up front alone in this summer’s World Cup.
Rooney has hit 34 goals playing as a lone striker for his club Manchester United this season, and Lineker wants England manager Fabio Capello to use him in a similar role during the tournament in South Africa.
“Wayne’s been brilliant in that role for United. He has played with Emile Heskey and Capello might consider Peter Crouch or Jermain Defoe. But the alternative is to play Wayne like he does for United with Gerrard or Joe Cole,” The Sun quoted Lineker, as saying.”I fancy using Gerrard with him because that gives him licence to do what he wants and he’s brilliant when on song,” he added.
The 49-year-old further reckons South Africa could prove the stage where Rooney could establish himself as one of greatest players to represent England.
“I was not in the same league as Rooney. He is a much better footballer than I ever was,” Lineker said.
“I was a goalscorer. He is a goalscorer and more. A wonderful talented all-round footballer. I would have loved to have played with him,” he added. (ANI)
- Capello says will never play Rooney as sole striker - Mar 03, 2010
- Shilton backs Rooney to live up to expectations of English fans during WC - May 19, 2010
- England name squads for two remaining World Cup qualifiers - Oct 05, 2009
- Three key decisions that Capello has to make - May 31, 2010
- Algeria hold England to 0-0 draw (Lead) - Jun 19, 2010
- Heskey found it hard to cope after knocking Ferdinand out of World Cup - Jun 10, 2010
- England look to Barry for inspiration against Algeria - Jun 17, 2010
- Goalkeeping blunder costs England victory over US (Lead) - Jun 13, 2010
- Capello looks for right World Cup mix for England (Group C team profile) - May 28, 2010
- Capello leaves out Rio, Crouch from England squad - Aug 29, 2011
- England announce 23-man squad for Euro Championship - May 16, 2012
- Defoe gives England win over Slovenia to send them through (Lead) - Jun 23, 2010
- Wayne Rooney's goal scoring skills don't impress Marcel Desailly - Oct 09, 2009
- Rooney asks Man U teammate Scholes to rejoin England squad - Aug 26, 2010
- Heskey snubs Capello - Oct 03, 2010
Tags: club manchester united, emile heskey, england footballer, england manager, fabio capello, gary lineker, gerrard, jermain defoe, joe cole, london, peter crouch, south africa, sun, wayne rooney, world cup