The oft-maligned Manchester United striker became the
Three Lions' all-time leading scorer in the 2-0 win over Switzerland,
but there are still questions about where he best fits
The captain's 50th goal for his country saw him overtake Sir Bobby Charlton's record and light up an otherwise dull night.
Rooney's strike came after his possible heir, Harry Kane, had steered in an impressive opener for his third goal in three substitute appearances during England's qualifying campaign.
Here's what Goal learned at Wembley...
| ENGLAND NEED TO WORK OUT ROONEY'S ROLE |
Wayne Rooney took all of the headlines when he slammed home from the penalty spot in the 84th minute to become England’s all-time leading goalscorer. It was the reason people had come to Wembley and the celebrations on the pitch and in the stands reflected the significance of the moment when the Manchester United striker lashed his spot-kick into the roof of the net.
This was a game, though, which again posed questions about Rooney’s best position for both club and country. As the focal point of the Three Lions’ attack, he was largely restricted to half-chances and lacked the mobility to get away from Switzerland defenders.
It was after the introduction of Harry Kane in the 57th minute, as Rooney dropped in to a deeper role, when the 29-year-old started to look more comfortable. He found more space and was involved in the build-up to Kane’s opener before slamming in the second with an emphatic strike from the spot.
| KANE IS INTERNATIONAL CLASS |
Whether Rooney is England’s leading out-and-out striker has certainly become a point of debate since Kane’s breakthrough last season. The Tottenham man looks well suited to international football and showed his goalscoring instincts in the penalty area with a crisp left-footed finish to put the hosts ahead in the 67th minute.
It was his second goal in as many matches as a substitute and Kane is surely now knocking on Roy Hodgson’s door for a starting spot having scored three goals in four appearances for his country.
The 22-year-old is the best finisher in the squad and, on the back of his 30 goals for Spurs last season, will already be eyeing a starting spot by the time Euro 2016 rolls around next summer. Kane looks a natural at international level and has taken full advantage of the opportunity given to him by Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck’s injury problems.
| SMALLING AND SHAW STAKE A CLAIM |
It was a drab match for long periods, with England already qualified for Euro 2016 and unable to up the intensity of their game. But for some players, it was a real opportunity to stake a claim for more prominence in Hodgson’s plans.
Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw have often found themselves under fire in the last year or so, but both are now in fine form for club and country. Smalling has been imperious for Manchester United so far this season and again looked rock solid as he swatted aside Swiss forwards with his power and strength.
Shaw, meanwhile, was full of energy as he constantly made runs up and down the left touchline and provided an important outlet for the hosts. The £30 million left-back created chances for Rooney and Raheem Sterling before he finished another lung-bursting overlap by crossing for Kane to slam in England’s first goal.
The performances of Smalling and Shaw bode well for United, who increasingly lack only one top-class centre-back short of having a very high quality back four.
| ENGLAND MUST KEEP MOMENTUM |
England now have no excuses not to finish their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign without a 100 percent record having won all eight matches so far with two left to play. They have been helped by a kind qualifying group, but Hodgson’s side have built some valuable momentum since their disastrous World Cup campaign in Brazil and must not let it slip despite already achieving qualification.
A group of talented players in their early 20s has emerged and made light work of their opponents in the last year. The real test, of course, will come in France next summer and that’s when Hodgson will be judged as the FA consider whether to hand their manager a new contract.
We all remember the buzz when Fabio Capello led England to the World Cup in 2010 with nine wins out of 10 in qualifying before a dreadful campaign in the tournament itself. Expectations among supporters remain extremely low.
| TIME TO TAKE HOME MATCHES BACK ON THE ROAD |
It was fitting that Rooney should break Sir Bobby Charlton’s record at Wembley in front of 75,751 home fans. Yet until that moment it was a poor game played in a flat atmosphere at the national stadium and calls should grow for England to start playing occasional matches on the road again.
For a start, it gives the rest of the country a chance to see the Three Lions and connect with the squad, particularly with the international schedule meaning night matches are even more common than in the past. England are not going to sell out every home match at Wembley and some matches at the likes of the Etihad Stadium, Villa Park and St James’ Park would provide the opportunity to play in front of full houses.
It would certainly be one way to spice up a deeply uninspiring World Cup 2018 qualifying group against Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta.
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