Euro 2020: Rooney Expresses Wish On England's Marcus Rashford Vis-a-vis Jack Grealish For Germany Clash

Former England captain, Wayne Rooney has expressed his belief that Marcus Rashford should go into the Three Lions side instead of Jack Grealish as they take on Germany in the round of 16 at Euro 2020.

England won their group ahead of Czech Republic, Croatia and Scotland, setting up a game against their fiercest rivals at Wembley on Tuesday.

Aston Villa skipper, Grealish, who got an assist in the 1-0 win over Czech Republic to close out the group stages, is in line to start against Germany.

Rooney, manager of Championship club Derby County, however, believes that Manchester United star Rashford needs to get his first start of the tournament instead.

In his column for The Times, Rooney wrote: "After all my championing of Jack Grealish, I wouldn't play him from the start against Germany. He was one of England's better players against the Czech Republic and it is not that my opinion of him has changed.

"My thinking is entirely down to how the Germans play. Different opponents demand different approaches and Tuesday's game is tailor-made for Marcus Rashford – but not Jack.

"The more players you have who want to take the ball to feet, the more Germany can press, so instead of Jack I'd be looking to have runners either side of Harry Kane.

"My instruction would be to attack the spaces behind their wing backs when they go forward and make runs down the channels to the sides of their centre backs – especially given Mats Hummels's problems against pace.

"Rashford is ideal for the job and one of Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka or Jadon Sancho would complete my forward line. Raheem has been in brilliant form and Saka impressed against the Czechs, while Sancho knows the German players the best, so I don't think you could lose with whichever option you chose.

"The first thought when England win it should be to play into the channels and have Rashford, and Sterling/Saka/Sancho going in behind. Having runners will get England up the pitch and take Germany's counterpress away."

Watch this Awesome First touch from Marcus Rashford #EURO2020 #eng pic.twitter.com/vhKB193hRD

— Richard Osomhen (@Osomhenjr10) June 26, 2021

England versus Germany will kick off 5 pm (Nigerian time) on Tuesday at the Wembley Stadium in London.

England vs Germany: Form guide (most recent first)

England: WDWWWW

Germany: DWLWDL