Wayne Rooney has snubbed some of England's biggest stars when naming his two most important players ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.
England go into the tournament as the favourites along with France, as Gareth Southgate's men look to go one better than they did in 2021 against Italy at Wembley.
Southgate's men's first job will be to escape their group that contains Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia.
Advert
Ahead of the summer, Wayne Rooney was speaking on 'The Overlap', brought to you by Sky Bet, and the former United man revealed who he thinks will make the difference for England.
Despite the hype surrounding the likes of Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Jude Bellingham, Rooney snubbed the trio of youth and opted for some more experienced heads.
“Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford are England’s most important players. Jordan is important to England because Gareth Southgate doesn’t rotate him in the friendly games, so we’re yet to see what the other goalkeepers can do," Rooney said.
Advert
Both Kane and Pickford have been ever present for Southgate during international tournaments, with both putting in world-class performances when it really mattered.
While Kane may seem like a banker choice, more eyebrows might be raised by Rooney's choice of Pickford who is often pointed out as a weak point of the England 11.
“I played with Pickford at Everton, and I was in the England squad when he first came into the team," Rooney continued.
“Due to the way that Pickford is, they judge him because he’s a bit lively and some of the bits he does in goal. Joe Hart and Aaron Ramsdale are similar. They are a bit fidgety and that does not fill you with confidence, but you are used to seeing Pickford now and you know he performs. I think it would be a big concern if he was to get injured.”
Advert
The England goalkeeper will be coming into the tournament on good form after earning the second-most clean sheets in the Premier League last season with 12.
Pickford is the first goalkeeper to save more than one penalty in a shootout and has also scored and saved penalties for his country in the same shoot-out.
Last time out at Euro 2020 Pickford didn't concede an open play goal all tournament, only conceding in the semi-final and final.
Topics: England, Euro 2024, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Southgate, France, Denmark
Tom Jenkins