Soccer
Paul Scholes Fears Wayne Rooney is Past His Best
Paul Scholes says Wayne Rooney must perform in Brazil or risk losing his status as one of the world's best footballers, the Mail Online reveals.
Rooney has failed to score in eight World Cup appearances and his former Manchester United team-mate believes England must show the balls to drop the 28-year-old if he fails to produce at the finals.
Scholes also questioned the striker's ability to perform alongside a partner and, having been part of the club's coaching staff for the final four games of the season, says next term could see a battle between Rooney and Robin van Persie for a starting berth.
"After an indifferent season, the England management team has to get the best from Wayne Rooney for the World Cup," believes the 39-year-old.
"He’s got a brilliant scoring record for his country with 38 goals in 89 internationals, but he’s played in eight World Cup games without a goal. You expect more of him. If Wayne is going to be one of the best footballers in the world, this World Cup is where he has to produce.
"Maybe Wayne has felt the pressure of playing for England in the last two World Cups when he’s not scored. I know how difficult it can be. Wayne’s peak may have been a lot younger than we’d expect of footballers traditionally.
"Age 28 or 29 has been the normal peak. With Wayne, it could have been when he scored 27 league goals in 2011-2012 when he was 26.
"Wayne was in the Everton team at 16 years of age, in 2003. Since then he’s played at Euro 2004, two World Cups, the Premier League, and Champions League every year. There’s a chance he’s worn out.
"I’m not saying Wayne needs to be dropped, but if his form doesn’t get up to scratch in the warm-ups, or in the first game of the World Cup, it will be interesting to see if the England management team has the balls to make that decision.
"We have quality forwards in the squad this time. That should give Wayne the competition he needs to spur him on a little more."
Scholes believes his former colleague's desire to track back is detrimental to his own performances and encouraged Rooney to conserve his energy in order to score more goals.
"To get the very best from Wayne, the manager needs to tell him: 'Don’t bother running back. Stay up top. Stay centre forward. Score goals. That’s your job in my team'.
"Wayne’s almost like a schoolkid. He loves being a footballer. Wayne wants all the responsibility to score. He’ll try to play left back, right back. Sometimes he does that too much instead of saving himself and his energy for what his teams need - the ball in the net. He needs to use his energy more effectively now as he’s a player who likes to be up front on his own and I don’t think he’s great with partnerships.
"It’ll be interesting next season with Louis van Gaal and how he decides to play Wayne. It looks like it might come to a straight choice between Wayne and van Persie."
Given Jack Wilshere's recent comments regarding Scholes criticisms the 39-year-old may be set for another over-the-phone heart-to-heart, this time with the former-Everton frontman.
Rooney has failed to score in eight World Cup appearances and his former Manchester United team-mate believes England must show the balls to drop the 28-year-old if he fails to produce at the finals.
Scholes also questioned the striker's ability to perform alongside a partner and, having been part of the club's coaching staff for the final four games of the season, says next term could see a battle between Rooney and Robin van Persie for a starting berth.
"After an indifferent season, the England management team has to get the best from Wayne Rooney for the World Cup," believes the 39-year-old.
"He’s got a brilliant scoring record for his country with 38 goals in 89 internationals, but he’s played in eight World Cup games without a goal. You expect more of him. If Wayne is going to be one of the best footballers in the world, this World Cup is where he has to produce.
"Maybe Wayne has felt the pressure of playing for England in the last two World Cups when he’s not scored. I know how difficult it can be. Wayne’s peak may have been a lot younger than we’d expect of footballers traditionally.
"Age 28 or 29 has been the normal peak. With Wayne, it could have been when he scored 27 league goals in 2011-2012 when he was 26.
"Wayne was in the Everton team at 16 years of age, in 2003. Since then he’s played at Euro 2004, two World Cups, the Premier League, and Champions League every year. There’s a chance he’s worn out.
"I’m not saying Wayne needs to be dropped, but if his form doesn’t get up to scratch in the warm-ups, or in the first game of the World Cup, it will be interesting to see if the England management team has the balls to make that decision.
"We have quality forwards in the squad this time. That should give Wayne the competition he needs to spur him on a little more."
Scholes believes his former colleague's desire to track back is detrimental to his own performances and encouraged Rooney to conserve his energy in order to score more goals.
"To get the very best from Wayne, the manager needs to tell him: 'Don’t bother running back. Stay up top. Stay centre forward. Score goals. That’s your job in my team'.
"Wayne’s almost like a schoolkid. He loves being a footballer. Wayne wants all the responsibility to score. He’ll try to play left back, right back. Sometimes he does that too much instead of saving himself and his energy for what his teams need - the ball in the net. He needs to use his energy more effectively now as he’s a player who likes to be up front on his own and I don’t think he’s great with partnerships.
"It’ll be interesting next season with Louis van Gaal and how he decides to play Wayne. It looks like it might come to a straight choice between Wayne and van Persie."
Given Jack Wilshere's recent comments regarding Scholes criticisms the 39-year-old may be set for another over-the-phone heart-to-heart, this time with the former-Everton frontman.
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