Monday, 16th June, 2014
Former England striker Alan Shearer has asked Roy Hodgson to either play Wayne Rooney in a more central role against Uruguay or drop him from the starting eleven.
Rooney started the game on the left and that was shifted to the right in England’s 2-1 loss to Italy on Saturday.
The 28-year-old’s performance in Manaus came under widespread criticism from all quarters.
The former Newcastle United hitman feels that the Liverpool pair of Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge deserve to be in the starting line-up against Uruguay.
"Because of how well they played against Italy, Raheem Sterling and Sturridge have to start against Uruguay in a game England need to win. You cannot leave either of them out," Shearer wrote in his column for the BBC.
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Shearer believes that the Manchester United striker needs to be utilised in a central role and Sterling can be shifted to the right wing.
The 43-year-old also added that there is no point in playing Rooney if he cannot be accommodated in a more central role.
"Sterling excelled in that number 10 role but that does not mean there is no place for Rooney, though.
“I would have him in behind Sturridge, where he has proven himself time and time again, and move Sterling to the right, where he plays for Liverpool the vast majority of the time.
"But either play Rooney off the striker, or do not play him at all."
England will look to recover from their loss against Italy and put their campaign back on track, when they take on Uruguay this Thursday at the Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo.
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