Rooney announces international retirement

Not surprised.

Thank you for your service. Time to pass the reigns to Kane.

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Thank you for your service. Time to pass the reigns to Kane.

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For awhile, I've felt like the English should pivot to a more pragmatic brand of counterattacking football. They have two great goal poachers in Vardy and Kane, and some talented fullbacks and wingers capable of beating players on the break. I can't think of any precocious central midfielder in England's pool now, depending on how you classify Dele Alli. Jordan Henderson is a huge meh for me and defensive-minded Eric Dier might be England's best player through the middle.

Perhaps, England's issues is that they have enough talent to waltz through UEFA's crappy qualifying groups with ease. When it comes time to play more talented international teams, England refuses to bunker against these teams.

You bring up a good point. Committing to a style in the international game is important, so much so that you could say that the French, Germans, Spanish and Italians have distinctive identities at the national level. The English did at one point, but do not any more. They could be more effective at the international level with a bunkering approaching but they always seem reticent to do that. They seem caught between two styles and can't play any style very well.