Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/321747
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 1 JUNE 2014 49 (+356) 800 737 70 Freephone: cabs t minivans t vip transport t luxury coaches t vintage buses 2138 9575 / 9921 5286 info@cabs.com.mt w w w . c a b s . c o m . m t Wayne Rooney: A world-class player yet to shine for England Wayne Rooney has been the first name on the England team-sheet for the best part of a decade, but for all the plaudits, international success has been a glaring hole in his resume SIMON CAMBERS ALMOST 50 years on from their only World Cup triumph, the same can be said for all recent England players, but Rooney knows it is time for him to prove himself on the biggest stage of all. At Manchester United, Rooney has won a complete set of medals, including the Champions League, but the striker's record in inter- national tournaments has caused many to label the 28-year-old as an underachiever. Though he burst onto the scene at the European Championships in 2004, he has failed to score in eight matches at his two World Cups. Contrast that with his over- all England record of 38 goals in 89 matches – 11 short of the all- time England record, – and it is clear why many feel Brazil is his last chance to establish himself as an all-time great. "I think I can say without fear of contradiction that on the world stage he hasn't exploded as he has on our national stage, where we all accept him as an outstand- ing player," England manager Roy Hodgson has said. "We have been together for a couple of years, we are growing slowly and there will be an oppor- tunity for him in Brazil to show he is not just a great star in the Pre- mier League, but a world star." Hodgson has confidence in his leading man. "The message to him is: 'This is your chance.' He is 28, a terrific age, and this is the world stage, the perfect opportunity for him to prove to people around the world what we already know – that he is a very, very gifted footballer, a very all-round footballer capable of playing in many positions, and someone who is a leading light in his team, which is one of the best in the world. "It would be nice to see him re- producing that form for England, and I am confident he will." Hodgson plans to use the carrot of Bobby Charlton's all-time goal- scoring record to motivate Roon- ey even more, but the manager's biggest challenge could be to play him in his best position. Strong enough to play in midfield, but still quick enough to run between the lines as a striker, Rooney is one of the most versatile forwards in world football. Hodgson will want to use the pace of Daniel Sturridge to run beyond defences, and Rooney may find himself "in the hole," just be- hind his team-mate, as both pro- vider and scorer. The England manager will also hope that Rooney shows his ma- turity and is not lulled into the kind of rashness that marked his early international career. Rooney has been sent off twice for his country, both times for petulance. The first time came in the 2006 World Cup, for a stamp on Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho in the quarter-final, having only just made the squad after a foot injury. The second red card came in the last round of qualif ying matches before the 2012 European Cham- pionships, which left him banned for the first two matches of the Euro and hampered England's chances. Rooney appears to be a more mature player now, with more skill than he is sometimes given credit for, while his athleticism is also underrated. "He's always had great natu- ral stamina," Sir Alex Ferguson, who signed Rooney for United in 2004, once said. "He's blessed in that respect. Rooney could play as a box-to- box midfielder (if he wanted)." Hodgson sees Rooney as the most likely man to captain Eng- land when Steven Gerrard de- cides to step down, most likely af- ter Brazil. It would be an honour Rooney would wear with pride, but for now, he is focused only on showing the rest of the world what English fans already know. Since 1966, England have reached just two semi-finals in major competitions, at the 1990 World Cup and the 1996 Europe- an Championships. But Gerrard believes England can surprise people in Brazil, for one reason, above all "It's because we have Rooney and Sturridge," he said. Download the MaltaToday App now Wayne Rooney Rooney believes the involvement of a young core bodes well for the future: "We have got some very exciting players, young exciting players". Photo by: alliance/empics/Stephen Pond