Who will step-up to replace Wayne Rooney in the future…
For several years now, Wayne Rooney has been viewed by many as England’s solitary world class player. The 28-year-old, who has 41 goals from 97 international caps, is now captain for both club and country, and is ready to lead the Three Lions into Euro 2016.
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But by the time, qualification permitting, England travel to France for the tournament, the Manchester United forward will be 30, and by the next World Cup – in Russia in 2018 – he will be 32, and there is no guarantees that he will reach that competition.
Roy Hodgson and his coaches need to be considering who will by Rooney’s long-term replacement. Here are the top ten candidates for the premier striking role:
10) Cauley Woodrow (Fulham)
The 19-year-old has impressed in England’s Under 21 side this year, while he has also begun to establish himself in a Championship side with aspirations of returning to the Premier League – a bright prospect.
9) Patrick Bamford (Chelsea)
The 21-year-old is yet to play a Premier League game for Chelsea, but has continually impressed in the Championship with Derby County and now Middlesbrough, after excelling in League One with MK Dons during the 2012-13 season.
8) Andy Carroll (West Ham United)
The 25-year-old has already scored a couple of goals for the national team, and if he can find his fitness and consistency with West Ham, he could yet return to the setup. The prospect of a target man forward surrounded by the speed of Raheem Sterling, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is an intriguing option.
7) Danny Ings (Burnley)
Last year’s Championship Player of the Year, he is yet to shine in the Premier League after being struck down by injury. However, at just 22 he will get another chance to show what he can do in England’s top division, even if things don’t work out with Burnley.
6) Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace)
The 24-year-old has undergone an extraordinary rise from non-league football to the Premier League in a very short space of time, and an England call would complete his incredible story. He has scored five goals in six games for Palace so far this season.
5) Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion)
Currently the top scoring Englishman in the Premier League, with five goals from his first seven games, equaling his tally from last season. Expect the 21-year-old to be on the plane to Paris in two years time.
4) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
The 21-year-old is rapidly improving within the Tottenham set-up, and has already scored four times this season, albeit with three of those strikes coming in the Europa League. A tall and powerful striker, he will be one to watch.
3) Connor Wickham (Sunderland)
The 21-year-old’s career threatened to take off towards the back-end of last season, when he fired Sunderland to Premier League safety with five goals. He has struggled to recreate that form this season, but still has bags of potential.
2) Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)
A well-established name within the England squad, the 23-year-old has already made 28 appearances and scored ten goals for the national team. Now a regular at Arsenal, rather than sitting on the bench at Manchester United, doors could open in front of him.
1) Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
Another comparative veteran in the England squad, with 16 caps and five goals. The 25-year-old scores goals for fun at Liverpool, and will be desperate to take that form onto the international stage over the next two/three tournaments.
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