Just like every tournament Rooney has featured in for England, he has been the man the nation looks to. The pressure of a nation is so often placed on his shoulders and when things go wrong, he is so often put in the spotlight. Some see Rooney as a scapegoat for England's poor performances, whereas others feel he is to blame. Rooney's outstanding performances in the European Championships of 2004 left England fans expectant of similar performances every time he pulls on the England shirt, something Rooney has failed to do.
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| One of the best in the Premier League, but not in the world class bracket |
However, Wayne Rooney is not world class. A world class player is a player that consistently changes the game with their individual performances. Messi, Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic are all examples of world class players, who so often single handedly win games for their teams, even if they are not giving one of their best games. Looking at this world cup, Cristano Ronaldo gave a perfect example of why he is world class against the USA in the world cup, when he was playing poorly but right at the death, delivered a inch perfect cross which required incredible vision to change the result of the game and earn his country a valuable point. Suarez was the difference for Uruguay against England, Messi has dragged Argentina through games at times and Neymar's influence has changed games. All world class players, all making the difference for their club and country, Rooney does not fit this bracket.
Rooney is a top player, no doubt about it. His raw power and technical ability make him such a potent player for Manchester United, but he isn't world class. In his early Manchester United years, Rooney was world class as he so often changed games for the Red Devils and was at the centre of their success. But as time has gone on, Rooney is no longer the player he once was. It is a difficult task to think of many times in recent years when the Englishman has been the difference in a game for club and country. Rooney's early promise as a teenager was so great that many had placed such high hopes on him, something some may argue has failed to live up to the hype that once surrounded him.
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| Rooney scored and got an assist in a poor world cup campaign for England |
From a tactical perspective, Rooney's change in role at Old Trafford is a major reason why he is no longer world class. As players like Van Persie and Welbeck climbed ahead of Rooney in the striking pecking order, Rooney was dropped into the number 10 role, playing just off of the striker in a attempt to accommodate a player of his quality. In recent years, Rooney has been seen coming deeper and deeper to collect the ball, compared to a Rooney who was at the point of the attack as a striker. Rooney being coached to come in and collect the ball from deep has harmed his game.
When Van Persie arrived, Ferguson knew he couldn't drop a player of Rooney's calibre from the side so played him off of the striker, something that has damaged him as a player as he no longer has that venomous striking instinct he once had in the box, but now comes deep to collect the ball and start the attacking move, rather than finish it. Rooney is still one of the best players in the Premier League and has been consistently one of the best players over the decade he has been at this level, but he is no longer the player Manchester United look at to make the difference.
There is no doubt Rooney will continue to feature for England for years to come, whether it be in what looks like a uncomfortable position for him like the wing or in his natural striker role. Rooney is still a top player and could restore his world class status should he consistently be the difference for Manchester United. Under new manager Louis Van Gaal's attacking philosophy, Rooney could do just that.
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