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Will Wayne Rooney inevitably go down as Englands greatest ever player??
Right, I know I'm going to get a lot of heat for starting this because its oh no another Rooney thread, but the reason why I'm starting this in particular is because I'm just thinking of the legacy Wayne Rooney will have when he retires from England duty, and it maybe a rather significant one.
At the moment, baring any long term injury, he is on the verge of breaking BOTH Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record (needs 9 more) and Peter Shilton's number of caps record (needs 29 more).
So that means by the time he retires he's going to hold both the most caps record and goalscoring record for England. Pretty damn good if you ask me given all the players England have had throughout their history. That alone surely must at least put him in the top 10, and probably in the top 5. Whether you like Rooney or not he is going own both those records within a few years so he has to be put into the equation now.
However, as we know he's not without his faults, scoring only 1 goal in 3 World Cups (Gary Lineker scored 10 goals in 2 World Cups, including a golden boot, which seems remarkable given Englands recent lacklustre achievements).
But like I say, I think this conversation needs to be had because he is going to hold both those proud records and most of my generation (those under 30, the "SKY" generation) will say he is the greatest England player I assume.
Will Wayne Rooney in time inevitably go down as England's all time greatest player?
At the moment, baring any long term injury, he is on the verge of breaking BOTH Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record (needs 9 more) and Peter Shilton's number of caps record (needs 29 more).
So that means by the time he retires he's going to hold both the most caps record and goalscoring record for England. Pretty damn good if you ask me given all the players England have had throughout their history. That alone surely must at least put him in the top 10, and probably in the top 5. Whether you like Rooney or not he is going own both those records within a few years so he has to be put into the equation now.
However, as we know he's not without his faults, scoring only 1 goal in 3 World Cups (Gary Lineker scored 10 goals in 2 World Cups, including a golden boot, which seems remarkable given Englands recent lacklustre achievements).
But like I say, I think this conversation needs to be had because he is going to hold both those proud records and most of my generation (those under 30, the "SKY" generation) will say he is the greatest England player I assume.
Will Wayne Rooney in time inevitably go down as England's all time greatest player?
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No.
Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore will hold those titles until England win something again. Paul Gascoigne was England's greatest player since 1966 in my opinion.
Rooney is an ok player but not in the top 10 for me. He doesn't do it on a regular basis. You never leave the match thinking, Wow what a player.
Stop reading there
For England, or generally?
Longevity in the England team has got him near the goals record but that's misleading given the vast majority weren't at tournaments and his goals per game average isn't as good as quite a few other England players (who played fewer games).
He's undoubtedly a talent but has ultimately fallen short of expectations (which were very high to be fair).
Bobby Charlton for me.
Fine, I don't mind Rooney not being picked for England, it will save all the shit that gets thrown at him.
Of course he is going to be picked though, he is the new captain.
...which is why I said England managers were clueless
He hasn't played well for England for the past 10 years.
But if he wasn't picked who would people have to complain about.
Sadly, there are always numerous candidates.
At this World Cup against Italy I thought Rooney was England's worst player on the pitch. Against Uruguay he was much better, but then the whole team stopped playing as soon as he was moved into his preferred position.
Like who?
Apart from all of those goals that he's scored, of course.
And you're right. The likes of Eriksson and Capello are obviously 'clueless'. I mean, what have they ever won?
He's a superb player in many ways but falls a little short short of greatness IMO.
I hope in the next World Cup, his final one, he shows what he can do on on the biggest stage.
Yes, because friendlies and qualifying campaigns against the likes of San Marino clearly matter more than European and World Cup tournaments.
Wilshire seems like a popular target now. He was loved only a few years ago.
Sterling could get the Rooney treatment soon if he doesn't deliver for country at the same rate he does for Liverpool. Or Sturridge. Or even Ross Barkley.
There'll always be someone. Someone who a lot of people think are overrated (which would make them underrated).
If Rooney had done nothing in the qualifying campaigns, then England wouldn't even have been at the tournaments.
They're equally as relevant.
I wish I'd have put money on 'San Marino' being part of the counter argument, it's as mind-numbingly predictable as [insert anything else you say here]