Wayne Rooney has encouraged Thomas Tuchel to restore Marcus Rashford to his starting XI in place of Noni Madueke for England's World Cup semi-final showdown with Argentina. The Three Lions find themselves only two games away from immortality, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice in a heroic individual performance against Norway to steer his side into the final four.
England's Quarter-Final Struggles
Tuchel's men did not make life easy for themselves in the quarter-finals, going behind to Andreas Schjelderup's audacious 36th-minute effort, which was swiftly cancelled out by Bellingham on the stroke of half-time. The two teams were unable to be separated after 90 minutes, but Bellingham's goal on the rebound – just three minutes into extra-time – proved decisive in Miami.
Argentina, the holders, stand in the way of England and a second-ever World Cup final appearance, with Lionel Messi and Co edging past Switzerland to secure their semi-final spot. The winner of tonight's eagerly anticipated clash in Atlanta will do battle for the title with European champions Spain, who cruised past a toothless France in Tuesday's semi-final.
Rooney's Tactical Advice
Previewing the clash on his BBC podcast, Rooney said he was 'intrigued' to see the make-up of Tuchel's team, with England's starting XI far from certain in the hours leading up to kick-off. 'The best managers are gamblers and they make decisions that are high risk but rewarding as well,' Rooney, England's second-highest goalscorer in history, said.
'If you look at the Norway game the other day, for instance, at one stage we had a right-back in central midfield, a centre-back at right-back, a right-back at left-back, and if it doesn't come off then people start questioning it: why have you done this? But it came off so you can't question it.'
'In terms of tactically how we play, I think it'll be really interesting to see what he does with the midfield because I think there have been times when we've looked quite open. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, the biggest part of their game is getting to the ball… a bit like Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero, they like to get to the ball, engage and put pressure on the ball. But by doing that you leave the space so does he drop Bellingham in there and go with a three in midfield defensively? So I'm intrigued to see what he does to try and counteract Argentina's strengths.'
Rashford and Gordon Suggested
Asked whether there were any changes he might make in Tuchel's position, Rooney replied: 'I'd drop Jude into a three man midfield and I'd actually – he [Tuchel] won't do it – but I'd go with Rashford and Gordon. Rashford off the right and Gordon off the left, just have runners. I'd play [Djed] Spence at left-back in this game, I think Messi drifts outside to the right wing, coming inside on his left, he'd come onto Spence's right foot.'
While Reece James came off the bench in England's win over Norway, there remain question marks over the right-back's fitness heading into the semi-final. However, Rooney believes the Chelsea captain has to be given the nod from the off if he is ready to start. 'Listen, you've got to play the game, you can't be holding him back thinking we'll need him for the final,' the former Manchester United and Everton forward said. 'If Thomas Tuchel thinks he's the best right-back we've got… if Reece James is fit, he plays. If Reece James can give you 60, 75, 90 minutes then I think he plays because he's the best right-back we've got in the squad. That's the only question: is he fit or not? And if he's fit then he plays.'
Stones Fitness Also Key
Rooney echoed these comments when it came to John Stones' fitness, adding: 'It's the same with Stonesy… if he's fit, he plays. It's just how he recovered from the last game because obviously he hasn't played a lot of football this season.'
Speaking exclusively to Metro this week, Rooney's former strike partner Michael Owen also called for Madueke to drop out following a disappointing display versus Norway. However, Owen called on Tuchel to play Bukayo Saka from the start having been 'encouraged' by his showing in Miami.
'I probably think he'd make one or two changes,' Owen told Metro. 'It's been quite a settled team throughout the tournament. I don't think he's going to change much now. I think the right-wing position is where he should look to change. Both Saka and Madueke like to run at their defender and beat their man. Obviously, Saka is coming back from an injury and just building his way back into the tournament, but my inkling would be that Saka would start in this one. It feels too big a game to not have him starting.'
