Wayne Rooney believes Gareth Southgate needs to be smarter in managing player minutes if England are to triumph at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions are among the hot favourites to go all the way in Germany this summer, having agonisingly lost in the last European Championship final against Italy three years ago.
Rooney believes other nations ‘fear’ England but says even giving key players 15 minutes’ rest towards the end of games will make a huge difference.
He discussed England’s chances and tactics with former Manchester United and England team-mate Gary Neville on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet.
‘Depending on the opposition, depends on the team that England should go for,’ Rooney said.
Gareth Southgate has been told what he must do better if England are to win Euro 2024
Wayne Rooney told Gary Neville on The Overlap that Southgate must rest players more smartly
Rooney is excited by the prospect of England’s talented side – including Phil Foden
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‘I want to see Phil Foden play in central midfield, but you have Jude Bellingham there as well which is the headache that Gareth Southgate is going to have.
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‘I suppose he could go with them as two N0 10s and then the three in midfield but then you are relying on your full-backs to give the width.
‘It is a strength the last two tournaments, even just giving players a bit of a rest for 15 minutes can make a big difference. We have got the strength and the quality in the squad.
‘In the last tournament [Euro 2020], Harry Kane was chasing the Golden Boot, so maybe if that wasn’t there, then it would have been easier to bring him off and keep him fresher.
‘I’d like to see players minutes managed better.’
Rooney scored 53 goals in 120 matches for England and is excited by the wealth of talent in the current Three Lions side.
‘For me, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka must play, they are some good players, aren’t they?
‘You look at Foden and Jude, and Jude is getting so many headlines it is almost like Foden is going under the radar a little bit.
Rooney believes Southgate should have taken Kane off while he was chasing the Golden Boot at the last European Championship
‘I think Foden scored more goals and got more assists than Bellingham has got this season, which is why Foden must play.’
On England’s Euro chances, he added: ‘England can win Euro 2024. I think what we have now is that other countries are starting to fear England a little bit.
‘In previous tournaments, other teams could see that England were good, but there was never that fear. However, with England now, there is fear.’
