QPR manager Harry Redknapp is adamant that Wayne Rooney should start in England’s World Cup opener against Italy, on June 14.
The Manchester United striker has come under heavy scrutiny following an abject performance in the Three Lions’ Wembley send off against Peru, while Daniel Sturridge scored a worldly to kick-start and eventual 3-0 victory for England.
The Liverpool striker netted on 21occassions in the Premier League last term, and with Rooney yet to find that net at the finals of a World Cup, many are questioning whether he should feature in Roy Hodgson’s first XI, but not Redknapp.
“I can’t see him not starting,” Redknapp told Standard Sport, “but it’s up to Roy obviously, but for me he’s got to start because we’re not overloaded with world class strikers. We need Rooney, we need him playing well, and if he is then we’re a much better team.”
“It may be that Roy plays a little like Liverpool did this year,” he continued, “and play with three forwards that rotate and interchange positions, and look to get lots of movement out of them.
“I’m sure when they lose the ball they’ll have different systems and rigid positions to pick up shape, but when we have the ball, there’ll be movement.”
“Wayne is an important player, and when he’s on form England has a great chance.”
The weight of expectancy when representing England is nothing new to Rooney, and Redknapp believes that, as with all top players, he can handle the pressure.
“An awful lot depends on him, there’s a lot on his shoulders,” added Redknapp. “People will ask whether it’s unfair, but that goes with the territory of being a top player.
“There’s a lot of pressure on all the top players. Neymar, Messi, there’s a lot of pressure on Ronaldo – there’s a lot of pressure on all the top players –so there’s a lot of pressure on Rooney, too. He’s a star player. That goes with the territory.”
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Harry Redknapp was speaking at the launch of www.666bet.com who are offering their first 1966 customers odds of 1966/1 for England to win the World Cup.
