England’s best form for four years has been driven by the resurgence of Wayne Rooney, 22, who has scored five goals in England’s last three World Cup qualifiers. But “Rooney’s resurgence as a match-winner for his country can be measured beyond the uplifting statistics,” writes Matt Dickinson.
The Rooney reminiscent of his teenage years was to be seen during England’s 3-1 World Cup qualifying win in Belarus Wednesday “in the jaunty way he skipped away from tackles to set up Steven Gerrard’s opening strike, and in the sharply angled through-ball to Theo Walcott that set up another great chance soon after.” With his shaven head, Rooney “looks about 40 but has remembered what it is to be young, gifted and carefree.”
Under manager Fabio Capello, Rooney “is rejuvenated as a playmaker and reborn as a finisher.” He has also benefited from being paired with striker Emile Heskey and the space created by the veteran Wigan Athletic forward. “No longer,” concludes Dickinson, “do we have to waste any time debating the ideal use of the United forward. We can put all that energy into hoping that Heskey stays fit.”