Wayne Rooney is one of the world’s top players on his current form for Manchester United.
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That’s why I think it was very brave, or foolish, of Chelsea’s Andre Schurrie to say that the England striker would find it difficult to get into the German team.
I’m not sure that’s the sort of thing I would say about an opponent I’m just about to play against.
Germany have got some very good players don’t get me wrong but Rooney would get into most of the world’s top teams.
I’m sure it was said a little bit tongue in cheek – I hope so anyway.
This will no doubt fire Rooney up and let’s hope he can make the Germans pay for those words.
England were not at their best in Friday’s 2-0 defeat to Chile – no-one excelled.
I think some of the players may have thought the hard work had been done in last month’s home World Cup qualifying wins over Montenegro and Poland.
Maybe a few players took their foot off the gas a bit – the intensity wasn’t quite there.
I’m sure Roy Hodgson will make changes so that we have a more cohesive side against the Germans.
There were a number of newcomers playing against Chile and it didn’t quite work out for them.
Adam Lallana was maybe one player who didn’t do himself any harm and was one of the brighter spots for England.
He’s a good footballer who would have made a decent impression on Hodgson but perhaps not so for his Southampton team-mate Jay Rodriguez.
Chile proved a good test for us but the Germans will prove an even bigger one.
I hear they are putting out a weakened side with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Phillip Lahm and Manuel Neuer all missing.
But England versus Germany is always a big fixture and I’m sure the players will be fired up for this one.
We do have a score to settle after the battering we took from them in the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.
And I’m really looking forward to being at Wembley to see it as a guest of one of the England sponsors, Vauxhall.
I don’t think either nation can ever look at this game as just a friendly fixture and I’m sure all the players will be up for it.
But having said that I still think a draw is the most likely of outcomes.
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This photograph was provided by Goalden Goals.
