Wayne Rooney more of a risk than Daniel Sturridge versus Scotland, says Stuart Pearce
Thursday 2 April 2020 12:31, UK
Playing Wayne Rooney as a No 10 against Scotland is more of a risk than Daniel Sturridge playing as a striker, according to Stuart Pearce.
Gareth Southgate has been tipped to choose Sturridge to lead England's attack in their World Cup qualifier against the Scots at Wembley on Friday, despite the Liverpool forward's failure to score a Premier League goal this season,
Manchester United's Rooney has been confirmed to start as captain, but Pearce - who was part of the England side that beat Scotland at Euro '96 - is concerned by the prospect of Rooney playing behind Sturridge.
When asked if starting Sturridge would be dangerous, Pearce told Sky Sports News HQ: "I don't think it's a risk at all."
England interim manager Southgate opted to play Sturridge in the goalless draw with Slovenia in their last World Cup qualifier in October, with Rooney placed on the bench.
Jurgen Klopp has selected Roberto Firmino to lead the line for Liverpool in recent weeks and kept Sturridge among the substitutes, while Rooney has regained his place in Jose Mourinho's starting line-up for Manchester United.
However, Pearce is suitably convinced by Sturridge's 20-minute appearance in Liverpool's 6-1 win over Watford in the Premier League last weekend to back the forward for England, but believes doubts still surround Rooney.
"Sturridge came off the bench, I think he had five efforts at goal and hit the woodwork twice," said Pearce. "One thing you do know is he is going to have efforts at goal.
"The big problem for me will come back to the Rooney situation. If Rooney is going to play just behind the striker, and Scotland are going to sit deep, I think Wayne just wants to play deep and get on the ball.
"If he does, Sturridge will be very isolated. Rooney cannot afford to keep dropping deep beyond their midfield. He's got to stay beyond their midfield and look for space, and get on the ball.
"That's where the question mark around Rooney keeps coming up, time and time again. It's because he wants to play deeper where there's no traffic of players, get on the ball and start spraying it around. If we play with two holders, you're wasting players."
