Sep

13

Steve McClaren’s Rooney dilemma

Filed Under England 

Steve McClaren has a problem. A very nice one, admittedly, but a problem nonetheless. By the time Estonia turn up at Wembley on Oct 13, the England coach, it would appear, must have worked out how to squeeze three strikers into his starting XI. To put it plainly, he has somehow got to find a way of incorporating Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney in the same side.

Not easy by any stretch, but that’s the happy dilemma facing McClaren after a spectacularly successful few days in the hot seat. If Owen stays fit for Newcastle, the country’s most lethal goalscorer by far can’t be left on the sidelines, not after hitting the 40-goal mark for England with two wonderful strikes last night. Neither can Heskey judging by this stirring performance when he carried on where he had left off against Israel to terrorise Russia with his power and energy.

Then there is Rooney, the most naturally gifted of the trio, who, after his recent lay-off, will hopefully be fit and firing for Manchester United when the next Euro 2008 qualifier arrives. And how do you omit someone of his ability?

Then again, how on earth can McClaren disturb the strike force that is presently tearing up opponents with its natural balance and understanding? Owen and Heskey are acting like long lost friends just now, renewing acquaintances and discovering that, actually, they get on better now than ever before.

Forget about Munich in 2001 when Owen’s hat-trick and a rare Heskey goal helped to humiliate Germany. The partnership has never looked so good as it did here as Owen helped himself to his 13th and 14th goals from his 14 starts alongside the big man.


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