Janice R. Andrews
Former England captain Wayne Rooney has stirred up debate by naming his choice for England’s top player, overlooking recent standouts Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer. As the national team prepares for upcoming UEFA Nations League clashes under interim manager Lee Carsley, Rooney’s unexpected pick has caught attention.
In a surprising twist, Rooney singled out Manchester City’s Phil Foden as England’s finest, despite Foden’s limited playing time this season. Speaking to talkSPORT, Rooney praised Foden’s technical prowess and creativity, stating, “At his best, Foden is England’s finest.”
While acknowledging Bellingham’s success at Real Madrid and Palmer’s impressive Chelsea debut, Rooney remained firm in his belief that Foden’s unique abilities set him apart. This comes as England aims to build on recent Nations League victories against Ireland and Finland.
Foden’s international performance, however, has yet to match his domestic achievements. Despite playing in all of England’s Euro 2024 matches, he failed to score or assist as the team finished second to Spain.
As England heads into their next fixtures, fans will be eager to see if Foden can elevate his game on the international stage, living up to Rooney’s high praise.
In related news, there are reports of Real Madrid fans urging Bellingham to change his jersey number, though La Liga rules prevent mid-season switches.
