WAYNE ROONEY wouldn’t have Trent Alexander-Arnold anywhere near England’s midfield because the Liverpool star “can’t defend”.
Three Lions legend Rooney also wants to see Phil Foden play as a number 10 and Jude Bellingham deepen into midfield.
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But the 38-year-old, who won the Euros as a teenager 20 years ago, is worried that a lack of experience in Gareth Southgate’s squad could cost him dearly in this summer’s tournament.
Southgate’s men begin their Euro 2024 campaign on Sunday against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen – where Rooney expects Alexander-Arnold to start in midfield.
But Manchester United’s top scorer, who was recently appointed manager of Championship side Plymouth, wouldn’t make the same choice if he were in charge.
Rooney told Gary Neville Overlay podcast: “I think (Gareth) will go with Trent. He’s probably the most talented player we have with the ball at his feet.
“Defensively, he’s everywhere. He can’t defend. I wouldn’t leave him anywhere near the middle of the field.”
Conor Gallagher looks to be Alexander-Arnold’s biggest competition for a starting place this weekend, ahead of youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton.
But Rooney would accept none of them and instead leave superstar Bellingham further behind to accommodate Manchester City star Foden in No. 10.
Bellingham will end up playing there anyway next season at his club Real Madrid following the arrivals of strikers Kylian Mbappe and Endrick, according to former Derby boss Rooney.
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The Three Lions icon, who scored 53 goals in 120 appearances for his country, added: “You have to build the team around Phil Foden.
“He has to be number 10 and Jude plays a little deeper.
“(Foden) is completely different to me (as a player), he is more mature than me with the ball at that age. I was a little more raw.
“I think (the expectation) is more on Jude now. For Phil, this season was really a huge step forward for him.
“We are missing a midfielder alongside Declan Rice and I think Jude will play there at Madrid, given the players they have signed.
“He is more than capable of doing that. For me, this is his best position.”
Rooney reckons England will face stubborn, deep defenses at times in Germany this summer – similar to that of Iceland, who surrendered a shock 1-0 win at Wembley on Friday.
In these scenarios, Rooney would like Southgate to bring Ivan Toney off the bench to partner Harry Kane in a bid to break down resistance.
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He would also have replaced Jack Grealish with Jarrod Bowen for the Manchester City star’s ability to “bring something a little different” and offer more balance on the left.
Jarrad Branthwaite would also have been chosen by Rooney for his size, playing ability and good season at Everton.
Grealish became a serial winner during his time at City, even though he was a minor player in the club’s fourth successive title this season.
The lack of silverware demonstrated by many in Southgate’s squad is a concern for Rooney – as is the inexperienced defense.
He added: “There is no substitute for players winning trophies. It’s so important.
“There aren’t many in the England squad who have done that.
“I just think there’s a real lack of experience in the team, that’s my concern.
“At the back there are not many international caps among the players. When you get to the later stages…
“I had that when I signed for Manchester United, you get to finals and tournament finals, semi-finals etc, we are looking at the lads who have been there and won trophies. They keep you calm and help you get through it. That’s my concern about England.
“I think they will easily get through the group stage, but when they face good teams that will be a real threat to them, I think the lack of experience could hurt us.
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“In 2004, I was probably the only (inexperienced player). There are so many players now.
“I could go to any player on the team and ask for advice or guidance on certain things.
“Where now you have (Marc) Guehi, you have (Ezri) Konsa, Mainoo, Wharton… the amount of players who barely played, Cole Palmer, (Eberechi) Eze.
“So many players and what will happen naturally is they will probably stick together and then when things start to get difficult they will be talking and asking, ‘What do we do?’ Because they are in a group.
“I was alone, I wasn’t in a group, so I could go up to anyone and say, ‘I’m a little worried here.’
“That’s my problem. It’s not that they’re not good enough or that they don’t deserve to be there, but there are so many uncapped players and missing tournament football that you need Harry Maguire, Grealish, for me, to bring that experience into the team.”
Maguire, who scored seven goals in 63 appearances for his country, was left out of the tour with a calf problem.
That left Southgate with a number of defenders with fewer than ten caps, apart from John Stones, who missed Wednesday’s training due to illness.
Rooney added: “The attacking players are unbelievable, probably the best we’ve ever had as a country. But the rear is a big concern for me.”
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