Thuram plays down Rooney impact

The Juventus man, 32, thinks the teenage Everton star does not have the experience for such a major tournament and that Sven Goran Eriksson's side would be foolish to rely heavily on him for their goals at the finals in Portugal.

Despite the 18-year-old scoring five goals in 13 internationals for The Three Lions, Thuram thinks he is not at the same level as Michael Owen was at Rooney's age.

"I doubt how much Rooney can give to the England team," Thuram told the Daily Star.

"He is very young - too young for such a hard competition like this.

"He lacks international experience, so for England to depend on him to score their goals is dangerous.

"Rooney is not Michael Owen - he was a far better player on his debut for the English team.

"The Everton player is good, but he is no Pele."

Thuram added that his side are far better than England and that Thierry Henry will make a big difference for the French.

"Player for player, we are better than England, but now we have to prove that on the pitch," he added. "And to have a player like Thierry Henry means you know you can go out and beat anybody.

"But England would need six Henrys to beat us."