Wayne Rooney says he is 'worried' about England's centre-back pairing for Euro 2024
Wayne Rooney says he is ‘worried’ about England’s centre-back pairing for Euro 2024 (The Overlap)

Wayne Rooney has picked the England team he would select for England’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on Sunday.

Gareth Southgate’s side begin their campaign in Group C against Serbia this weekend before playing Denmark and then Slovenia.

Rooney, who featured in six major tournaments as a player for England, says he is ‘worried’ about Southgate’s centre-back pairing for Euro 2024 following the absence of Harry Maguire, who misses the tournament due to a calf injury.

The former England captain, who is the Three Lions’ second-highest goalscorer of all time behind Harry Kane, also described Southgate’s decision to leave Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite out of the 26-man squad as ‘the biggest shock’.

When asked who should partner John Stones, Rooney said on The Overlap: ‘I don’t know.

‘I think just for form in the league I’d play Marc Guehi but I’d be worried.

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
Wayne Rooney says Jarrad Branthwaite’s absence from the England squad is his ‘biggest shock’ (Getty)

‘I’m so surprised Branthwaite is not there. Obviously with Trippier being right-footed as well, I think Branthwaite would’ve given so much balance.

‘He’s really good with his feet, went over to Holland on loan before coming back to Everton, he plays balls through the lines, he’s a big lad, aggressive.

‘I was shocked. That’s probably the biggest shock, for me, that he weren’t in the squad with Harry being left out.’

Asked if it’s a guarantee that Kieran Trippier plays at left-back, Rooney replied: ‘It is but, for me, he’s been really poor all season.

‘He’s had injuries as well but he’s been poor. I thought the other night against Iceland he was poor again. He has to play but he hasn’t been playing well for Newcastle.’

Wayne Rooney's England starting XI for their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia
Wayne Rooney’s England starting XI for their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia

Rooney also believes Southgate should start Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon on England’s left flank.

‘I think he’s different,’ Rooney said of Gordon.

‘He’s the one player, Saka does as well but maybe not as much as Gordon, he runs off the ball, he runs in behind, he takes the ball, he’ll commit players and he’ll hold the width, you’ve seen him doing it for Newcastle, he’ll keep the width which allows space for more players [in the middle].

‘Palmer could play there but their biggest strengths are coming inside. He’s [Gordon] the one player who will hold the width and make it difficult.

‘If teams sit back you need width, you need to keep moving it from side to side to create opportunities.’

Rooney’s team for England’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia: Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Kieran Trippier; Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden; Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon.

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