adminLONDON. — Outstanding performances by three attacking players in England’s 3-2 comeback win over Germany on Saturday has sparked renewed debate about where injured captain Wayne Rooney fits in for the Euro 2016 soccer finals. After Roy Hodgson’s team fell 2-0 behind to the world champions in Berlin, the English Premier League’s two leading scorers this season, Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane and Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, brought England level with superb goals.
Many observers, including Germany’s former World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaeus, made teenager Dele Alli the man-of-the-match in what Hodgson called his best night as England manager.
Alli (19) played in the “No. 10” role just behind the main striker, which is arguably Rooney’s most effective position. When playing as a lone striker, the Manchester United captain has often looked isolated and become frustrated by a lack of involvement, tending to drop too deep to seek the ball.
Before injuring a knee against Sunderland on February 13 Rooney was on a good run, but still has only seven league goals this season – like Alli – compared to Kane’s 21 and Vardy’s 19.
“I am a big fan of Wayne Rooney, but today we didn’t miss him in the game,” Matthaeus said during live television coverage.
Geoff Hurst, whose hat-trick won England the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany, believes Vardy could be a surprise package in the European Championship finals in France.
“He’s come from nowhere, a very good level-headed guy who’s very sensible, very intelligent,” Hurst told the BBC yesterday.
“Either Harry Kane or Vardy definitely deserve their place with the season they’ve had.
“And Alli has made an impact not just at club level but in internationals.” — AFP.
Online Reporter