Contenders: Rooney
Sunday, 18 January, 2009
Wayne Rooney finished the year in good goalscoring form for the Three Lions.
During 2008, Fabio Capello awarded caps to 35 players in ten games as England won eight, drew one and lost one. Today we look at Wayne Rooney, who finished the year in good goalscoring form.
Age 23
Date of Birth 24.10.85
Caps in 2008 8, Goals 5
Career Caps 48 Career Goals 19
Manchester United
It was an eventful and successful year for Wayne Rooney for both club and country, for as well as helping Manchester United to the Premier and Champions League titles, he played a major role in helping England top their World Cup Qualifying group.
A virtual ever present in Fabio Capello’s squads, he missed only two games in 2008, the friendlies with Trinidad & Tobago in June and then with Germany in November, which illustrates how important a member of the squad he is.
Now approaching his 50th cap, Rooney also ended the year in fine form, netting five goals in his last three games of the year against Belarus, Kazakhstan and Croatia to leave England clear at the top of Qualifying Group Six.
Rooney’s all-action style of play makes him a popular figure with players and supporters alike and not only does he add goals to the team but his work rate and team ethic mean he is valued by everyone involved in the England set-up.
Quotes
"Before every big tournament, fans expect a lot of big things from players, and the players desperately want to give them something to be happy about. Hopefully that can come soon.
"We always have a point to prove. We believe we have the players to do well in these major tournaments.
"We have not done so in the past few years, but hopefully this can change for us and we can do well.
"If you look at his (Fabio Capello) record as a manager, you are going to listen to the things he tells you and try to take them onto the pitch.
"We are playing slightly differently with a different formation. We can still learn and do better."
Wayne Rooney