Don’t really disagree with your general view of Rooney’s England career but my one quibble would be that he isn’t really part of the golden generation he’s from the generation after. He was just so good as a teenager he overlapped with the former.
I mean you’re spot on that he never had a tournament after 2004 where he had a narratively satisfying moment but it’s also the only time he was fully fit and playing with other great players.
On a related point who do you have as that generation’s second best player? Milner? Ashley Young?
Really great article Grace.
Don’t really disagree with your general view of Rooney’s England career but my one quibble would be that he isn’t really part of the golden generation he’s from the generation after. He was just so good as a teenager he overlapped with the former.
I mean you’re spot on that he never had a tournament after 2004 where he had a narratively satisfying moment but it’s also the only time he was fully fit and playing with other great players.
On a related point who do you have as that generation’s second best player? Milner? Ashley Young?