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Taking Wayne Rooney to Euro 2012 would be 'a total waste of time', says England legend George Cohen
The Manchester United forward will miss all of the group stage after being hit with a three-game ban, with World Cup winner saying he should not go, but Peter Shilton differs
14 Oct 2011 09:17:00
By Matt Scott
Getty Images
England legends George Cohen and Peter Shilton are at odds over whether Wayne Rooney should be selected by Fabio Capello for Euro 2012.
Shilton, England's record cap holder, wants Rooney to be involved in Poland and Ukraine and also thinks the FA will appeal the ban, but Cohen says it would do no good to call up the Manchester United forward, who will be unavailable for all the group games after being hit with a lengthy ban following his sending off against Montenegro for violent conduct.
Cohen told The Daily Mirror: "Fabio Capello has got to take another player in place of Wayne Rooney.
"You can’t have a player that he can’t use mooching around the tournament because that would be a total waste of time.
"It won’t do Capello or the nation any good to have him walking around the hotel or sitting in the stands.
"The manager must take a full complement of players and he will have to find a system that works without him.
"I thought Rooney would get two games and hoped he would, but he can’t argue with this ban.
"He kicked somebody out of frustration because he’d dared to put his backside out to protect the ball, which is exactly what Rooney would have done in the same circumstances.
"What did he expect after that? He could only be sent off and now the whole country is paying the price."
Shilton disagrees, however, and says Rooney is too good to be left behind.
"Whatever happens, I think you have to take Rooney," he said. "It certainly raises the question, but you have to put him in the squad, in my opinion.
"Take each stage at a time - and the FA will appeal, which will hopefully see the ban reduced. Maybe they’ve laid down a marker with three games and will then reduce it.
"I thought he would get one game, possibly, in the worst-case scenario, two, and then it would be a no-brainer whether you take him.
"But while it will be debated, he is such a good player, such an important player for England that he still has to go.
"Rooney is vital to England. You have to feel for him because he has missed out in the past. He’s a terrific player, so passionate.
"But you have to gamble on England getting through the group stages. You have to hope they can do that and then he becomes available."
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Shilton, England's record cap holder, wants Rooney to be involved in Poland and Ukraine and also thinks the FA will appeal the ban, but Cohen says it would do no good to call up the Manchester United forward, who will be unavailable for all the group games after being hit with a lengthy ban following his sending off against Montenegro for violent conduct.
Cohen told The Daily Mirror: "Fabio Capello has got to take another player in place of Wayne Rooney.
"You can’t have a player that he can’t use mooching around the tournament because that would be a total waste of time.
"It won’t do Capello or the nation any good to have him walking around the hotel or sitting in the stands.
"The manager must take a full complement of players and he will have to find a system that works without him.
"I thought Rooney would get two games and hoped he would, but he can’t argue with this ban.
"He kicked somebody out of frustration because he’d dared to put his backside out to protect the ball, which is exactly what Rooney would have done in the same circumstances.
"What did he expect after that? He could only be sent off and now the whole country is paying the price."
Shilton disagrees, however, and says Rooney is too good to be left behind.
"Whatever happens, I think you have to take Rooney," he said. "It certainly raises the question, but you have to put him in the squad, in my opinion.
"Take each stage at a time - and the FA will appeal, which will hopefully see the ban reduced. Maybe they’ve laid down a marker with three games and will then reduce it.
"I thought he would get one game, possibly, in the worst-case scenario, two, and then it would be a no-brainer whether you take him.
"But while it will be debated, he is such a good player, such an important player for England that he still has to go.
"Rooney is vital to England. You have to feel for him because he has missed out in the past. He’s a terrific player, so passionate.
"But you have to gamble on England getting through the group stages. You have to hope they can do that and then he becomes available."
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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|
21:50 BST -
And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
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