WAYNE ROONEY NAMED CAPTAIN AFTER RETIREMENTS OF STEVEN GERRARD AND FRANK LAMPARD; ENGLAND SQUAD HAS FOUR UNCAPPED PLAYERS
Wayne Rooney was today named as England’s new captain following the retirements of Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard and New York City’s Frank Lampard, who is currently on loan at Manchester City.
The 28 year old had already been named captain of Manchester United by his manager Louis Van Gaal and the United striker had been England captain twice before, in a friendly with Brazil in 2009 and in a World Cup qualifier against San Marino in 2012. Rooney had also had a spell as vice-captain.
Rooney said on his official website: “It is something I will take massive pride in doing. To be appointed captain is beyond my wildest dreams.”
Rooney also confirmed that he would be speaking with Gerrard about the different aspects of the role.
With the retirement of Gerrard, Hodgson named four uncapped players in his quad to face Norway at Wembley next week. The emphasis seems to be on youth as the injury list grew to ten players, with six in defensive positions.
United’s Luke Shaw and Michael Carrick were already ruled since the start of the season while Chris Smalling was ruled out of the squad on Sunday after limping off in the first half.
Arsenal’s versatile defender Calum Chambers could start at right back for England with Glen Johnson suffering a groin injury at the end of Liverpool’s defeat at Manchester City last Saturday. He could be joined at left back by Tottenham’s Danny Rose who gets a call-up despite having to compete for his place at Spurs with recent signing Ben Davies.
There were also call-ups for Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph and Newcastle United’s Jack Colback as England’s midfield gained a more youthful outlook.
The enforced changes in midfield for England’s game against Norway next week could see a genuine and mobile shield for a four man defence deployed which would in turn allow for more attacking play down England’s flanks.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Everton)
Midfielders: Jack Colback (Newcastle United), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)