If you were to name the best performances from England players at national tournaments in last twenty years, or even teenagers in last twenty you’d have Owen and Rooney there.

Yet those were their best performances in an England shirt. Both had good careers but never reached the heights anyone thought they would. Pushed too far too soon. And burnt out at an early age.

How were they pushed? They just peaked earlier and what we thought was ‘on the rise’ was actually their peak

Can’t say pushed imo because if you’re good enough then you have to play them

Harsh to say that for Rooney career wise. Top scorer for country and club of all time, 6 PL titles, 1 CL etc etc

Sure he'll be fine burn out wise, not exactly played 1,000 minutes this season.

Harsh on Rooney? His performances at those Euros were his only good ones at a tournament for England

Is it being pushed too early getting a 30 minute cameo in a game because the senior wingers are out injured or otherwise unavailable? I agree with LSTD's point. I'd much rather have players getting experience in and around the international squad now than seeing players like Marc Albrighton included just to occupy a space.

No it’s just silly when he should be playing for the under 21s and developing at a normal rate as you see in other countries

If he’s good enough why can’t he be in the main squad?

If someone was good enough with other countries they’d be fast tracked as well

He’s not good enough to start for his club yet.

So should be getting starts at youth level.

A club the size of Dortmund

Be fair

comment by RenegadeOF (U9457)
posted 2 minutes ago
He’s not good enough to start for his club yet.

So should be getting starts at youth level.
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Neither is Danny Welbeck but we still call him up.

I’m not saying he’s not good, I’m saying he’s a kid. He’s played what a few hundred minutes of games for Dortmund. Not sure how mor sub apps help him in any way.

He’s still developing. It’s how other countries do it. But England always know better.

The problem being is that "good enough" has taken on a whole new meaning in and of itself in England to mean simply "anyone new with a bit of hype".

Exactly ska.

I get your point though, if he’s going to England main squad he’s gonna have to start to make his time there worth it, otherwise don’t bother calling him up

I've long thought that the FA should be planning for the future and attempting to keep each generation progressing through the youth levels at roughly the same speed so that they have a good enough understanding of each other to not look like complete strangers at tournaments.

Only the absolute best teenage stars should jump up through the ranks so quickly.

Jack Wilshere was the next Xavi once upon a time. Is it a coincidence he also struggled with injuries, too much too soon? He even played for u21s

Let’s be fair about who he’s not starting ahead of...Marco Reus.

Talking about Rooney over the length of his career, not just international competitions where the whole team were pants.

Agree with that completely ska.

The highlight of Rooneys international career was as a teenager. And he never hit the heights expected of him, end of. Sir Alex was ready to sell him don’t forget, career was winding down mid 20s fs.

There's nothing wrong with a promising 18 year old going through the u21s and getting full games with, hopefully, a set of players he'll be starring alongside for years to come.

Even Mbappe went through the U19s tournament after his breakout season, and C.Ronaldo didn't feature for the first team until starring in the Champions League and signing for Utd.

SAF was going to sell him because of him causing a contract fuss, did the same with Beckham too, wasn’t exactly uncommon for him to do that to star players at United. Had his 3rd best goalscoring season the year after SAF retired.

comment by LSTD - She’s a Kepa (U2708)
posted 1 second ago
SAF was going to sell him because of him causing a contract fuss, did the same with Beckham too, wasn’t exactly uncommon for him to do that to star players at United. Had his 3rd best goalscoring season the year after SAF retired.
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Exactly 19 goals

Contract issue was because he wasn’t performing. And that season you’re talking about United fans still weren’t happy with him. And for good reason.

And Mbappe went to U19s season before his breakout season.

That's because Utd didn't have any other strikers left that season after Van Persie reverted to his Arsenal ways.

don’t think Rooneys performances were anything to do with starting his career too early, however well anyone thinks he performed in those seasons. Reckon it owes a lot to a poor lifestyle choice for his profession.

Either way Sancho is in the squad with the players he’ll be featuring alongside in the future. TAA, Rashford etc etc. Not the likes of Solanke!