Can the three lions’ get over the Wazza factor
Although the English league is considered to be one of the most exciting leagues in the whole world, the national team has never lived up to its full. After winning the 1966 world cup, the English national team has had several big names, like Lineker and Gazza, but none of them could bring them glory. The end of the millenium saw the rising of the golden generation of the English national team with players such as Beckham, the Nevilles, Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard and Owen. The golden generation was expected to end their 34 year wait for a trophy during the 2000 Euros. But disappointment hit them as England could not even clear the group stage. Their performance improved two years later as they reached quarter finals of the 2002 world cup before losing to the eventual winners Brazil.
England was still looking for that killer instinct when Wayne Rooney entered the stage. The Everton teenager impressed the manager Sven-Göran Eriksson with his performances in the premier league and was selected for the 2004 euros. Although England experienced a penalty heartbreak, Rooney shone as he ended being the second highest scorer with 4 goals from as many games. Bustling and brilliant, Rooney excited like nobody else at that tournament and raised the bar of expectations. He became an instant fan favorite and was on the target list of almost every European giant. Eventually, Manchester United got hold of the kid in a £25.6 million deal, the highest fee ever paid for any teenager.
Rooney had immediate impact at Old Trafford when he made his debut in champions league against Fenerbache. He scored an amazing hat-trick and provided an assist as the red devils trashed the turkish side 6-2. Although United did not win any titles that season, Rooney ended as the top league scorer for the red devils with 11 goals and was credited with the PFA Young Player of the Year award. By that time, he also racked up 11 goals in 28 appearances for the three lions and was seen by many as the killer factor they needed to win trophies, especially the 2006 world cup. England played a world class team which was feared by many. However, an injury to Rooney meant he could not give his full and England were knocked out by Portugal in yet another penalty shootout heartbreak.
Rooney was still considered to be England’s top weapon and was tipped to bring England a much awaited glory. However, this never happened as he failed to replicate his form at club level on the international stage. Inspite of winning back to back premier leagues and becoming European champions with the red devils, he could not inspire England to even qualify for the 2008 Euros, courtesy of back to back defeats to Russia and Croatia. Although it was harsh to put the entire blame on Rooney, he clearly could not perform to his expectations in the qualifiers. Doubts began to cast if Rooney can ever become the talisman he promised as a teenager. There was no doubt of his talent as he kept racking up goals for United. But his performance kept dropping at competitive internationals. The 34 goals scored in the 2009-10 season were followed by a goalless 2010 world cup campaign and another 34 goals in the 2011-12 season were followed by a mere goal in 3 outings in the 2012 euros.
People started losing faith in him but his stellar performances at domestically meant that he was the best natural striker England had. The likes of Defoe, Bent and Caroll had their moments of brilliance but could not display the consistency Rooney had. This was the only thing that made sure that he remained the first choice for the centre forward position. However, the arrival of Robin Van Persie at Old Trafford meant Rooney was forced to play behind him, reducing his scoring opportunities. Although Rooney had an amazing 2012-13 season when he showed that he can also control the midfield, his goal scoring opportunities have been reduced. As a result, Rooney was not the best English striker in the 2012-13 season. A promising young talent Daniel Sturridge realised his potential after his move to Liverpool mid-season. Sturridge became the second player in Liverpool’s history to score in his first three matches, as he went on to amass an incredible 11 goals in just 16 games. His display of immense vision, discipline and hard work convinced manager Roy Hodgson to replace Rooney as the first choice center forward as the latter was confined to the role of a second striker in international friendlies in a 4-4-1-1 formation.
But things were different this time. United struggled heavily the next season under the new manager David Moyes. Rooney racked up 17 goals in 29 outings but his performances suggested that he was already past his peak. This compounded by his humongous ego, which was clearly seen in his contract extension with the club, has lost him a huge amount of his image. In the mean time, the season saw the rise of several other stars for the three lions. Sturridge continued his brilliant scoring form, finding the back of the net 21 times. Players such as Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Oxlade Chamberlain, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling have raised to the occasion as England looks to pose a serious threat on the international stage.
But the main problem manager Roy Hodgson facing right now is that the England squad, for the first time in years, looks stronger with Rooney out of the starting XI. The 4-2-3-1 formation with the Barkley-Lallana-Sterling trio in the midfield looks very promising and intimidating to the opponents. Many fans believe that England will fare better with Roo, especially after the striker’s poor performance against Peru in a recent friendly. For the first time in almost a decade, England seems to get over the Roo factor. Although it is quite likely that Roy will give his ex-talisman a chance in the world cup, it is pretty much evident that Roo is no more the main man and will need to work hard to save his future with the three lions.
Original article at Can the three lions’ get over the Wazza factor
