Will Wayne Rooney start for England at Euro 2016, the Sunday Supplement panel discuss
Sunday 11 October 2015 16:05, UK
Will Wayne Rooney start for England at next summer's European Championships in France?
That was one of the topics of conversation on the latest edition of the Sunday Supplement as the panel reflected on England's 2-0 victory over Estonia.
Rooney was absent as England made it nine wins from their nine qualifiers for Euro 2016 with victory at Wembley on Friday night.
With England having already booked their ticket to France next year, manager Roy Hodgson took the opportunity to blood some of the younger members of his squad, with the likes of Jamie Vardy and Dele Alli featuring.
Asked whether Rooney would make her England XI, considering the array of young talent at Hodgson's disposal, the Times' Alyson Rudd replied: "It's tricky because of the pressure that puts on whoever steps into his place when he's the captain.
"I would like to think Roy Hodgson has the bravery to drop Rooney if the day comes when England are just that bit quicker, functioning better, livelier, without Rooney.
"Roy would have to feel the team could absorb the shock of dropping their captain. It can create massive headlines if you drop your captain."
Shaun Custis of the Sun voiced his support for Rooney, claiming the Manchester United striker's goalscoring records make him impossible to omit from the squad for next summer's championship, although he feels Rooney position in the starting line-up is not assured.
"People have been trying to get rid of Rooney for five years," Custis said. "He has a phenomenal goalscoring record for club and country.
“People have been trying to get rid of Rooney for five years. He has a phenomenal goalscoring record for club and country. Once you take him away he will be missed. I know he hasn’t done that well at tournaments but he is still a great talent. People should recognise him for that."
"Once you take him away he will be missed. I know he hasn't done that well at tournaments but he is still a great talent. People should recognise him for that.
"He still commands his place in the Manchester United team and he still does have the qualities to lead them and to play for them. It hasn't happened at tournaments, he is desperate for it to happen.
"He is a quality player and, sometimes, he has bursts where he comes back again when maybe you think he's finished. I don't think you should write him off.
"Rooney doesn't have to start but you has to be in the squad. I don't think he is a disruptive character, I think he would be the team player, he's of an age whereby he would understand."
