Why England Won't Win The World Cup (2)

Wayne Rooney.

Since Manchester United’s exit from the Champions League in April, Wayne Rooney has not been the same player. Reports suggest that there are several reasons for this; injury, fatigue, a lack of fitness, perhaps even a lack of confidence. Some have even suggested that he’s lost his lucky gloves. Only one thing is for sure, if the real Wayne Rooney does not stand up, England will not win the World Cup.

An England without Rooney is in my opinion more of an issue than Argentina without Messi, Spain without Xavi, or Brasil without Kaka. Rooney symbolises everything English football is supposed to be about; passion, work rate, hunger, and skill. If Messi gets injured, Argentina have Higuain, Aguero, and Tevez to fall back on. We, rather worryingly, have Heskey, Crouch and Defoe.

I strongly believe that sections of the English support were wrong in their treatment of the boy wonder. Real fans get behind their players when the going gets tough, but yesterday I was still frustrated with moronic comments from so called “fans,” some even with “Rooney” on the back of their shirts, urging Capello to “get ‘im off,” and groaning every time a pass was slightly misplaced. I can only assume from media reports that the fans in South Africa are no better.

Rooney’s rant into an ITV camera showed, if nothing else, the man’s passion for the cause. He looked a frustrated figure, which in my opinion originated from an inner disappointment with himself and his own performance. Having watched Wayne week in, week out for Manchester United this term, the player of the year can understandably feel disappointed with a season which personally promised so much, but unfortunately will produce so little should England and Rooney not drastically improve.

The not so insignificant silver lining for England fans is that we certainly have not seen the best of The White Pele in the Three Lions shirt. Whether it be in the latter stages of this World Cup, or in four years time in Brazil, I can assure every one of you that his time will come on the world stage. He is simply too good for this not to be true.