Internationals

Rooney Is England's Raúl - Capello

Whilst praising Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, England boss Fabio Capello has made a somewhat surprising comparison, likening the youngster to Real Madrid legend Raul

May 30, 2008 9:30:06 AM

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Rooney, 22, has already become a vital member of Fabio Capello's England set-up as his first-choice forward, though Don Fabio has yet to find him an ideal partner.

The former Juventus and Milan manager is full of praise for the ex-Everton man's work-rate and desire, and has likened him to Spain and Real Madrid's Raúl.

Capello managed Raul when he was slightly younger than Rooney is now, in the 1996/97 season, in which the youngster played an instrumental part in leading Madrid to La Liga despite still being a teenager, racking up an astonishing 21 goals and 25 assists in 42 league appearances.

With his all-time career stats standing at 292 goals in 655 games - drawing ever closer to the great Alfredo Di Stefano's all-time record of 307 - Raúl has reached a level that Manchester United will be hoping Rooney can reach, as may England, as Raúl is also his country's all-time leading goal-scorer, with 44 goals in 102 appearances.

“To have mental strength and desire is so important. In my career I have had defenders like this but rarely forwards. I like what I see in him,” Capello said of Rooney.

“Raúl was like this and the nearest player I have known to Rooney. He was young when I worked with him for the first time but he was hungry and smelt the goal.

“He was also generous to the team. You always speak to the players like this but he is young.

“The future will be even better.”

Commitment

While Capello has called for caution from Rooney with his tackling - as there were murmurs of discontent following Wednesday's game against the United States - he assured that he will not try to change the way the United forward plays.

"When a player performs without commitment he is not the same" explained the Italian. "You have to be hard and tough.

"He did two hard tackles against USA and they were possibly yellow cards but not red. He didn't deserve to be sent off. It is normal. He did one strong tackle and in my opinion it was not a problem.

"Of course, I have to make sure he stays on the pitch and I will speak to him. I will explain that he must be careful.

"He is exactly the same in training, committed and tackling hard. Before the game in training it was a worry for the others. He does this all the time!"

Chet Winter, Goal.com

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