Wayne Rooney's England starting XI vs Germany leaves out Jack Grealish and Phil Foden
Rooney has told Gareth Southgate who he'd pick for Tuesday's Euro 2020 showdown against Joachim Low's side, including a start for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford
Wayne Rooney has picked his starting XI for England's Euro 2020 showdown against Germany - and there's no place for Jack Grealish or Phil Foden.
The debate is raging over whether Grealish should keep his place in Tuesday's last-16 clash after the Aston Villa skipper starred in last week's win over the Czech Republic.
The 25-year-old was a livewire in an energetic first half for England, and it was his cross which Raheem Sterling headed home to ensure Gareth Southgate's side went into the knockout stages as Group D winners.
But Grealish was hooked in the second period, and Three Lions boss Southgate is weighing up whether to bring the likes of Phil Foden and Mason Mount back into the team.
Rooney has said none of them should start - picking Marcus Rashford on the left with Germany's high defensive line crying out for runners either side of Harry Kane.
And he also called for Manchester United target Jadon Sancho to be handed his first start of the tournament finals.
“After all my championing of Jack Grealish, I wouldn’t play him from the start against Germany," Rooney wrote in his column for The Times. "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.
“Rashford is ideal for the job and one of Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka or Jadon Sancho would complete my forward line."
Rooney said England should go with a three-man midfield of Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson - or Jude Bellingham if the Liverpool skipper is not fit.
"In a game of this size, where Germany will keep the ball and make you run, you will suffer if you’re not completely there physically. I’d use Jude Bellingham instead if there is the slightest doubt about Henderson," the former England and United striker added.
Rooney's England XI to face Germany: Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw; Rice, Phillips, Henderson; Rashford, Kane, Sterling.