Wayne Rooney told Sky Sports News on Monday morning that he was impressed by Leeds and West Ham duo, Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice, for England at Euro 2020 on Sunday.
The Three Lions kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win against Croatia at Wembley and Rooney thinks Leeds’ academy product was ‘the best player on the pitch’.
Many were left surprised before the game when Phillips and Rice started in midfield together, alongside Mason Mount, but that tactical change from Gareth Southgate worked a treat.
Phillips was the one who provided the assist for Raheem Sterling’s goal, as Rooney also praised West Ham’s Rice for his performance during the match.
“I thought Phillips was outstanding,” said Rooney. “I thought he was the best player on the pitch.
“I thought Declan Rice done well. And it’s almost jobs that you don’t see that they were doing well.”
It will be interesting to see how Gareth Southgate tweaks things up against Scotland on Friday because there won’t be too much to worry about in regards to having possession of the ball.
Against Croatia, some of the best work the England players produced, especially the midfielders, was without the ball.
The aggressive nature of their pressing, their shape without the ball and their near-perfect timing to sense danger was outstanding.
A very experienced and trophy-laden Croatian midfield was harassed and bullied by two players – Rice and Phillips – who are playing at their first major tournament.
A lot less will be needed against the Scots, so will Southgate bring a Jack Grealish into the fold to break the more compact old enemy down?
Or will he just stick with the same XI that got them through against Croatia?
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