Wayne Rooney says it would make sense to call up Danny Welbeck and leave Harry Kane out of the next England squad.
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel names his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania on Friday. England are already through and Rooney believes Bayern Munich striker Kane would benefit from a rest while Welbeck deserves a recall after six goals in 10 Premier League games for Brighton.
“He’s scoring goals, he’s working hard, he’s got a purple patch and he’s putting himself in a position where Thomas Tuchel will definitely have to watch him,” Rooney said on the latest episode of his podcast The Wayne Rooney Show.
“Behind Harry Kane, he is the fittest English striker. He gave himself a chance.”
Welbeck hopes to end seven-year absence from England team
Welbeck has not played for England since 2018 but returned to action with a chance to add to his 42 caps, especially with Kane’s regular deputies Oliver Watkins and Ivan Toney either out of form or out of sight.
Tuchel has made a big play in choosing players he believes will add to the group dynamic – Jordan Henderson and Dan Burn to name two – and Rooney says Welbeck, who will be 35 when the World Cup takes place next summer, would also fit into that category.
“I’m not saying he would accept being on the bench, but Ollie Watkins and the players like him who are trying to make the team are still quite young and want to push Kane for that starting spot,” Rooney said of his former Manchester United teammate.
“A bit like Jordan Henderson, he would bring his experience to the players. He is popular with his teammates wherever he is, but he also has the ability to come on and make an impact.”
Kane needs rest – Rooney
England secured their place in the United States, Canada and Mexico last month with a 5-0 win in Latvia and Rooney believes it would be wise to give Kane a break, especially with Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Rooney said: “In England’s next games I wouldn’t even call Kane. Give him a rest.
“There aren’t many opportunities between now and the end of the season where he rests. Let him rest and go watch Welbeck, Watkins or Ivan Toney. Whoever he wants to watch, give those players the opportunity to try to play.”
