Wayne Rooney has described Harry Maguire's omission from Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad as "very unlucky," offering a candid assessment of the England manager's bold selection decisions. The former captain, speaking on his podcast, expressed surprise at the exclusion of the Manchester United defender, who had recently returned to the international fold after injury. Maguire, 33, boasts 66 caps and was a cornerstone of England's runs to the 2018 semi-finals and the 2022 quarter-finals. His absence from Euro 2024 due to injury was a blow, but a recall for March's friendlies had reignited hopes of featuring in the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
"I think the Maguire one was the big one for me, which was a bit of a shock," Rooney said. "If you look at him on form, I think Harry Maguire is very unlucky not to be in it. Maybe he's thinking he doesn't want to be disrespectful to Harry Maguire and take him and not play him. I don't know." Rooney speculated that Tuchel may have opted for Dan Burn instead, a decision he found noteworthy but ultimately respected. Despite questioning some calls, Rooney maintained faith in the German coach. "Even the decisions I don't like, I think I've got a trust in Tuchel and in him as a manager from everything we've seen," he said. This trust extends to the attacking selections, where Tuchel has favored Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham for the number 10 role over established stars like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Rooney highlighted the potential friction if Aston Villa's Rogers starts ahead of Real Madrid's Bellingham, acknowledging the media storm that could follow. "I think that's a challenge which Tuchel has to be ready for," Rooney noted. "If he doesn't start, I'm sure he knows what comes with that from the media, from Jude, from Jude's family." The 40-year-old, who earned 120 caps and scored 53 goals for England, understands the importance of accommodating maverick talents. "Jude would probably be the one who goes against what Thomas Tuchel is trying to create for this tournament. He is a maverick and you've got to accept that. You need that type of player in your World Cup squad," Rooney said, pointing to Bellingham's history of delivering in big moments.
Another significant call welcomed by Rooney is the recall of Ivan Toney, now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli. Toney's 32-goal season in the Saudi Pro League has convinced Tuchel to bring him back into the fold, and Rooney praised the decision to include three out-and-out strikers. "I just like the fact that we've got three number nines. If you're chasing a goal, rather than bringing a number 10 on who wants to get on the ball and play, get goal scorers on the pitch," he explained. Toney's role mirrors his Euro 2024 cameos, where he featured as a late substitute when England needed a goal. Rooney believes the Brentford loanee's physicality and hold-up play will be vital in the challenging conditions expected at the World Cup. "He can hold the ball up really well. In that heat, when the ball goes up to the centre-forward, the last thing you want is for it to bounce off them," Rooney added.
With Harry Kane as the undisputed starter, Tuchel must manage the captain's minutes carefully, especially given the likely heat, humidity, and altitude. Rooney urged the manager to be decisive: "Thomas Tuchel has to take that away from him. In the last 20 minutes of games, with that heat, with the humidity, altitude – you need to keep him as fresh as you can." The blend of experienced stalwarts and bold omissions underscores Tuchel's intent to craft a squad capable of ending England's long wait for a major trophy. While the Maguire decision has sparked debate, Rooney's backing suggests that the wider football community is willing to give Tuchel time to prove his vision. As the World Cup draws near, all eyes will be on how these selections perform under pressure. Based on reporting from BBC Sport.