Rooney ‘really shocked’ by Southgate mistake that could cost England Euro 2024 glory

Wayne Rooney is “really shocked” that Gareth Southgate has chosen to leave out Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell from his England squad for Euro 2024.

Despite the widespread criticism of their performance at Euro 2024, England dominated Group C and avoided what appears to be the much tougher half of the round of 16 draw.

The 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Cologne was a continuation of the Three Lions’ struggles in Germany, where they also drew 1-1 with Denmark and beat Serbia 1-0 thanks to a Jude Bellingham header.

Their attacking intent down the left has been limited, partly due to Kieran Trippier playing out of his left-back position, although he has played there on numerous occasions now.

Southgate decided to take a risk by including the half-fit Luke Shaw, who has had injury problems all season at Manchester Unitedon another left-back like Chelsea’s Chilwell.

And, although Shaw claimed he would be available for England’s “next game” against Slovakia in the round of 16, Rooney was left baffled by Southgate’s decision to select the Man Utd left-back over Chilwell.

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“I was very surprised and really shocked that Ben Chilwell wasn’t chosen,” Rooney said at the press conference. The BBC’s Football Daily Podcast.

“It’s just to balance out having a left-handed player. You are talking about a Chelsea player. He’s been good for England in the past, he’s a good left-back and he’s also featured in tournaments.

“So I was really surprised he wasn’t selected and it was just (Kieran) Trippier or (Joe) Gomez left. »

Rooney added: “I think at the moment it’s got to be Trippier or Gomez playing there.

“Where do you put Kyle (Walker)? For me he’s been the best right-back in the world in recent years, do you take that away from England?

“There are so many imbalances and questions from that point of view. The left side of the pitch has been a bit of a problem for me.

“That’s the one area where I don’t know what he’ll do. It will be interesting to see what Gareth Southgate does in the next match.

Fans booed England after a disappointing display against the Danes and did the same after the result in Slovenia, with glasses of beer thrown in the direction of manager Gareth Southgate, who has since called for all fans’ anger to be directed against him rather than against his players.

Bellingham, however, spoke of the positive impact the RheinEnergieStadion fans have had on him and wants to reward them with better performances in the future.

“I think you definitely tap into their energy towards the end of games,” Bellingham said.

“I felt like in the last game I was completely dead, but you hear them singing, you hear them chanting and you can play at a level that is not our best, that’s normal, that can happen.

“But I think the important thing is when you wear that badge and you represent those fans is you don’t give up and I think they constantly remind you of that.

“I think it’s always interesting. I know there’s a lot of negativity outside of the stadium and the camp, but I always feel like when we walk into the stadium it’s so different.

“I think it’s important that as teammates and as a team we remember that those who are in the stadium are the ones who are going to give us energy, so don’t worry about those who are not there.

“We obviously have to continue to use that energy, to use that feeling that we have from them, to be successful in this tournament.”