The England squad is preparing for Sunday’s opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Slovakia.
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Wayne Rooney announced yesterday that the campaign for the 2018 World Cup soccer finals in Russian Federation will be his last as an England player.
Wayne Rooney will end his England career after the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation, the striker said on Tuesday.
“Wayne’s position has changed at Manchester United”, Allardyce said, “and that’s the sort of position I’d be looking for him to be playing in”. There were some questions about whether I should stop playing, but I am looking forward to getting back on the pitch.
Rooney is playing under his fifth England manager in Sam Allardyce – following Sven-Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren, Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson.
“I went from non-league, I made the jump to Reading, didn’t have much time there, went to Sheffield Wednesday and then to Nottingham Forest, then I managed to get to West Ham, where I’ve always wanted to be, in the Premier League”.
“The time will probably be right in two years, and hopefully I can enjoy the next two years, and do a bit better”.
He added: ‘My mind is made up…
“The team wasn’t playing with the intensity that we need and he was part of it”.
‘I seem to say that after every tournament.
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.
Rooney received widespread derision from England supporters in the wake of England’s abject failure at Euro 2016, with many lambasting the striker for his muted performance in the defeat to Iceland.
Rooney must wait until Tuesday to discover if he is being retained as England captain by Allardyce.
“It’s a huge honour to captain your country and I’m grateful to Sam for the opportunity to continue”.
Though the Manchester United man has shifted from that No. 9 striker position to more of a No. 10, he has been the heart and soul of the England attack for years and one of the biggest names in worldwide soccer.
New United manager Jose Mourinho has returned Rooney to the No 10 role behind the striker, and Allardyce also thinks that’s his best position.
“Obviously it’s the manager’s decision and we haven’t really spoken about it so we will in the next few days”, Rooney said. It is up to Sam Allardyce again over the next two years, but if selected, I will have enjoyed it.
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If the England forward plays in the upcoming World Cup qualifier in Slovakia, he will be making his 116th worldwide appearance which will break David Beckham’s record for the country’s most-capped outfield player.
