Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli appears to have taken over from Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney as England’s number 10.
Martin Keown has told the Daily Mail that there is no way that Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney can compete with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli for England.
Alli started England’s first match under Gareth Southgate’s tenure against Malta in Rooney’s favoured number 10 position.
The 20-year-old appears to have become the Three Lions’ main creative influence, and Keown cannot see how Rooney displaces the Spurs starlet.
“Rooney can’t compete with Alli in the midfield,” the former Arsenal defender said. “The Tottenham man looks like a middle-distance runner in comparison when he breaks into the box and closes people down.”
Rooney was selected to start in a deeper position for England against Malta, and his performance has been heavily criticised.
The United man looks completely out of form, and he was booed by supporters at Wembley Stadium, after taking a wild lash at a shot.
Alli, meanwhile, got on the scoresheet against Malta and he appears to be continuing to go from strength to strength.
The Tottenham attacking midfielder is set to start for England again later this evening when Southgate’s men take on Slovenia, while Rooney will be dropped to the bench.
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