Capello – Rooney should be picked

Former England boss Fabio Capello insists striker Wayne Rooney needs to start for England at Euro 2016, despite his disappointing form this season.

Current boss Roy Hodgson has always remained faithful to Rooney, despite claims in the press that he should be dropped. The form of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Jamie Vardy has seen Rooney’s place come under threat, but he is expected
to still be an integral member of the side this summer.

Rooney has scored seven goals in 23 appearances in the Premier League this season while Kane (24) and Vardy (22) have taken the division by storm.

Despite his relatively low goals return and his injury problems, Capello insists Hodgson must remain loyal and go with his current captain and try to use him in a playmaker role.

He told FourFourTwo: “He is important because it’s important to have him on the pitch because he understands the game well and he sets an example for the other players. This is a very important role he can play.

“He is changing. He will play not like a first forward, he will be like a second forward and his movement between the line of the defenders is important and he knows that movement really well.”

Although some have questioned Rooney’s ability at the top level, Capello claims England should be more worried about their defence.

He added: “The problem for England is not the forwards. You’ve got a lot of centre-forwards – you need to decide which one you need to stay home.

“The problem is with the defence, the lack of centre-backs.”