Former England and Tottenham midfielder Darren Anderton has told talkSPORT Wayne Rooney does NOT deserve to start against Malta in their World Cup qualifier.
Gareth Southgate will oversee his first game as caretaker manager on Saturday as the Three Lions continue their campaign against the European minnows at Wembley Stadium.
Having taken the reins following Sam Allardyce’s sacking, Southgate’s first task was to decide what to do with captain Rooney, who has struggled for both the Three Lions and Manchester United over the past year.
Many fans and pundits called for the skipper to be axed having scored just four goals in all competitions for club and country since February, while the striker has also been benched for Man United’s last three games.
Regardless of his recent form, however, Southgate revealed on Friday Rooney WILL start on Saturday, but Anderton insists NO PLAYER should be considered for the England team in their aren’t in form or regularly playing for their club.
Speaking on the Weekend Sports Breakfast, Anderton said: “I understand why Gareth would want to play Wayne Rooney.
“He’s been such a great player for England and he is by far and away the most experienced player in the squad.
“But the reality is I believe you should play players who are in form and playing for their club, and you’d __have to say Wayne Rooney is neither at the moment.”
Roy Hodgson fell into the trap of playing Rooney in a deeper midfielder role to fit the skipper into the squad, to mixed success, but Anderton believes doing so only hinders England from getting the best from their top players.
“Well, you want your players to be played in their best positions to get the best out of them,” he added.
“So when you play Rooney in a midfield role, not only is it not his best position, it also hinders others.”