Friday 20 May 2016 19:08, UK
Wayne Rooney should not start England's opening game at Euro 2016 against Russia, according to Sky Sports Now guest Paul Ince.
The Three Lions kick-off their European Championship campaign on June 11 against Group B second-favourites Russia in Marseille.
Ince, who played for England at Euro 96, the 1998 World Cup in France and Euro 2000, stressed the importance of avoiding defeat in the opening game of major tournaments.
And he has omitted England's captain - and all-time leading goalscorer - from his XI for the opening fixture at the Stade Veldrome, citing Rooney's recent deployment in an unfavoured position at Manchester United as the reason.
"It's important not to open the competition with a defeat," Ince told Sky Sports. "People are going to say: 'do this', 'play Rooney' or 'play your strongest XI', but when you go into tournament football it's important to start with a point or even three."
No Rooney... why?
INCE SAYS: "I haven't put Rooney in the first XI for the game against Russia because I don't think he is ready for that yet, he is playing in midfield for Manchester United at the moment. I do, however, think he will come in later - I'd like to see Rooney play up front."
Who will shoulder the attacking responsibility in Rooney's absence?
INCE SAYS: "I've gone with a 4-4-2 formation with Danny Drinkwater and Eric Dier in midfield and Dele Alli in the No 10 role. Offensively, Alli would be the key man as you don't want to isolate Harry Kane.
"James Milner and Adam Lallana would support Kane but Alli has been outstanding this year for a young kid that has just come in. He has taken the Premier League by storm, he carries himself with confidence and he is a top, top player.
"It's strange that someone like Alli, having come from a League One club, is going to be one of the main men in the England team but that's how good the kid can be. He makes great runs forward and that's why I've put him in the No 10 role."
An overly cautious selection?
INCE SAYS: "I've gone with a solid line-up because I feel England's weaknesses are the two full-backs. Our full-backs like to go forward so much that they leave so many spaces behind.
Rooney is playing in midfield for Manchester United at the moment so I don’t think he is ready to start for England.
"By getting Dier and Drinkwater there - along with the pace of Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling - they can cover the gaps. Milner and Lallana will help to keep it tight defensively, because you've got to keep things tight.
"You can always nick a goal, Kane has been flying this season and Alli will push forward in support."
How far can England go in the tournament?
INCE SAYS: "The group stage is always the nervous part of the tournament. Once you get past the group stage and it comes down to one-off games, England can go and win it all. I see no reason why England can't win it.
"It's going to be tough with the top teams - Germany, Spain, France on home soil - being there, but England have got the quality and a nice balance.
"If England can get through the group-stages, which I expect them to do, there is no reason why they can reach the semi-finals or better."
Do you agree with Ince's England XI? If not, who would make YOUR team to play Russia? Leave your suggestions in the message boards below or tweet us @SkyFootball.
