Skip to content

Rooney or Welbeck? You decide who should start for England against Switzerland

Hear from the experts, including David Beckham, take a look at the facts and figures and make your pick

Graphic

Wayne Rooney may have captained England for the first time on a permanent basis in Wednesday’s friendly win over Norway but his position in the team has been called into question.

The Manchester United skipper scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot at Wembley but his performance otherwise contributed to his country having just two shots on target.

Rooney is now England’s fourth highest goalscorer, with 41 to his name, but England have also scored just three goals in their last five games and that has led some critics, particularly with Daniel Sturridge ruled out through injury, to call for further change in the wake of the World Cup disappointment.

Euro 2016 Qualifiers

The impact of former United forward Danny Welbeck, considered to have a new lease of life after his transfer deadline day move to Arsenal, as a second-half substitute versus Norway has also got England fans talking.

Despite Rooney only recently being appointed captain, it has been suggested Welbeck could take his ex-club-mate’s place in Roy Hodgson’s first XI over the European Qualifiers, with Raheem Sterling impressing as a potential No.10.

What do you think? Should Rooney or Welbeck be in the long-term starting line-up? Is Rooney still among the best No.9s or No.10s England have to offer in the modern game of swift counter-attacking?

We have collected the facts and figures, as well as getting some expert opinion, to help you decide before you cast your vote and give us your opinion at the bottom of the page.

More from Switzerland V England

WAYNE ROONEY VERSUS NORWAY

Wayne Rooney

Rooney started the friendly at Wembley in his first game as permanent captain and scored the penalty to win the match. The Manchester United man was operating in a role behind lead forward Sturridge as the second striker, which many people believe to be his best position, and he was only dispossessed of the ball once. But Rooney had just 29 touches of the ball in his 70 minutes on the pitch and that total of touches was less than any other England player in the starting XI. Rooney also contributed 100 per cent of England’s offsides and had no successful dribbles. Other than his penalty, Rooney had one other shot, which was off target.

England v Norway Minutes on Pitch Goals Shots Shots on Target Successful Dribbles Dispossessed Offsides
Wayne Rooney 70 1 2 1 0 1 2

England's Wayne Rooney scores their first goal of the game from the penalty spot during the International Friendly at Wembley Stadium, London

ROONEY SAID...

“I thought I could have done better; we all could have done better. It [playing Norway] is the first game after the World Cup and it was important that we got the win, especially going into the game on Monday.”

DANNY WELBECK VERSUS NORWAY

Danny Welbeck

Welbeck came on for Rooney with 20 minutes remaining to earn his 27th cap for England. He had one shot, which was on target and forced a save from Norway goalkeeper Orjan Haskjold Nyland. The £16million Arsenal new boy also completed one successful dribble but he was otherwise disposed on two occasions. However, Welbeck did not run offside at any point during his time on the field against Norway.

England v Norway Minutes on Pitch Goals Shots Shots on Target Successful Dribbles Dispossessed Offsides
Danny Welbeck 20 0 1 1 1 2 0

DAVID BECKHAM
SKY SPORTS AMBASSADOR & FORMER ENGLAND CAPTAIN:

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Beckham: 'Wayne the right man'

"He [Rooney] is one of the most experienced players in the team now. He is now the most respected player in the team. Young players will look up to Wayne for inspiration; he is a player who wears his heart on his sleeve. People want to see that passion; you fight for every ball and celebrate every goal you score, or every goal you set up. That is what Wayne is all about. Wayne is such a great talent, such a great player, people love him, fans love him and it is great to see him with the armband. It is something I know he will cherish.”

JAMIE REDKNAPP
SKY SPORTS EXPERT & FORMER ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL:

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Redknapp's Switzerland v England

“I knew this was going to happen with Rooney as soon as Roy made him captain. People could not wait for him to have a bit of an iffy game and then say, ‘Well, he should not even be in the team’. Roy has made him captain so he has made his bed. You cannot leave Wayne Rooney out now, no matter what anyone suggests.”

NICK COLLINS
SKY SPORTS NEWS CHIEF FOOTBALL REPORTER:

“Wayne Rooney will reflect that he did score and he is now up to 41 [goals] and getting nearer and nearer the all-time scoring record. He will lead England against Switzerland in Basel. He scored there the last time they played in a qualifier; he got the opening goal in that game. But there was another player who came on in the last 20 minutes on Wednesday and did really well and that was Danny Welbeck. He came close to making it 2-0. 

“So I guess Danny Welbeck must come in to consideration, given it was a really lively performance from the new Arsenal man. He looked rejuvenated and it will be interesting to see if he gets an opportunity from the start. But I would not envisage too many changes up front, despite the fact there were just those two shots on target."

Rooney or Welbeck? Vote and have your say below or tweet @SkySportsNewsHQ and #SSNHQ

Around Sky