Wayne Rooney has announced he intends to draw his global career to a close following the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation. Hopefully I can end my time with England on a high’.
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Rooney said earlier this month that he would make himself available for England through to the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation and would then decide on his global future. Or striker? I think Rooney’s position has changed at Manchester United and that’s where I’ll be looking to play him.
“He sorted the odd scuffle out in the dressing room and talked to the players about how we had to go out and win”, Allardyce told reporters at the St George’s Park football centre in Burton, central England.
Slovakia held England to a goalless draw in its last meeting at Euro 2016, a game Allardyce expects will have little bearing on Sunday’s meeting in Trnava. “All of these factors point towards him being the right choice to lead the team”, said the manager.
“Big Sam”, as he is known, wants to create an environment where his players feel comfortable and relaxed when they report for England duty.
I said straight after the Euros that I wanted to still be involved.
7 – Only seven of his goals have come at the final stages of global tournaments, four of them as an 18-year-old at Euro 2004.
“Whether I was captain or not, I was still going to be available for selection and spending the same time with the players”.
England new boy Michail Antonio says he is “grateful” for the call-up and now needs to prove he belongs at worldwide level.
Rooney, who has reverted to a deep-lying forward role at United this season, also insisted he remains as committed as ever to the England cause.
For Sam Allardyce, England’s long journey back to respectability in world soccer starts with lightening up and having some fun.
Rooney also revealed his delight to being allowed to continue his England responsibility and said he never thought about retiring after Euro 2016.
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Presuming Rooney starts, Alli would have to make do with substitute appearances or a more withdrawn position. The managers and players haven’t found out why, but Sam will try to find out why it’s happening. We have a department to look at the whole situation in all areas for every [age range] worldwide team. The camp has been good, we have only had one session, but we are all excited about what ideas he can bring to us’. That’s down to the way he’s got them playing.
