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Wayne Rooney Thinks Jack Grealish Should Be Dropped For England vs Germany

Wayne Rooney Thinks Jack Grealish Should Be Dropped For England vs Germany

Grealish has explained why Marcus Rashford should play on the left and Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips should be joined by Jordan Henderson.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Wayne Rooney has called on Gareth Southgate to drop Jack Grealish for Tuesday's huge Euro 2020 last 16 clash with rivals Germany, and instead play three defensive midfielders.

England fans have spent the best part of a year calling for Grealish to get into Southgate's team and that only intensified in the opening two group games of the Euros.

The Aston Villa captain was finally given his start against Czech Republic, in the final group game, and set up Raheem Sterling for the game's only goal.

Despite that, England's all time top scorer Rooney believes that Grealish shouldn't be in the starting line up against Germany, which the England boss reportedly may agree with, with the former Manchester United striker picking Marcus Rashford instead.

"After all my championing of Jack Grealish, I wouldn't play him from the start against Germany," the Derby County boss wrote in his Times column.

"...My thinking is entirely down to how the Germans play. Different opponents demand different approaches and Tuesday's game is tailor-made for Marcus Rashford - but not Jack.

"Germany play three at the back with a high line and what they try to do is almost suffocate you. They pass side to side, get the ball in wide areas, come back and go all the way out to the other flank, then get balls into the penalty area. And when you win it, they want you to play a pass to feet because that means - with their line pushed right up - they can go and press you high up the pitch.

Grealish was a constant threat against Czech Republic. Image: PA Images
Grealish was a constant threat against Czech Republic. Image: PA Images

"The more players you have who want to take the ball to feet, the more they can press, so instead of Jack I'd be looking to have runners either side of Harry Kane."

With Rooney taking away the left hand side role from Grealish, he would also rule the 25-year-old out of the number 10 role, instead playing three defensive midfielders.

"I would go with a midfield three, rather than a two, plus a No 10, which was Grealish's role against the Czechs," the former Everton player added.

"It's important not to be outnumbered in the middle because Joachim Löw has forward players who drop back in, like Thomas Müller and Kai Havertz, and Joshua Kimmich, who comes in from right wing back to centre midfield.

"Provided Jordan Henderson is fit I'd start him alongside Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips but Henderson has to be 100 percent."

It's fair to say that fans on social media weren't too impressed with 'Wazza's' selections for Tuesday, and will be hoping Southgate doesn't set up the the Three Lions like that.

Who would you pick against Germany? Let us know in the Facebook comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football, Euro 2020, Jack Grealish, England, Marcus Rashford, Germany, Gareth Southgate, Wayne Rooney