Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson believes that former England captain Wayne Rooney still has a lot to offer at the Premier League level and is convinced that English football hasn’t seen the last of their talisman, claims the Daily Star.
Hodgson has made it clear that Rooney is still welcome to make a return to England with Crystal Palace. The manager further added that Rooney might be the ideal man to solve his team’s goal-scoring crisis. (h/t Daily Star)
The Eagles have made a dismal start to their Premier League campaign, winning only two out of their first eight games. As a result of their lacklustre performances, Roy Hodgson’s side currently languishes 14th in the standings with seven points. In fact, Palace are yet to win a game and score a goal at Selhurst Park this season.
Andros Townsend, Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke were the cornerstones of Palace’s campaign last time around in the Premier League. However, that trio hasn’t delivered the goods for Roy Hodgson in the ongoing season.
While Zaha has had to shoulder the bulk of attacking workload for the Eagles, Christain Benteke has been sidelined with a knee injury after a poor start to the season. Andros Townsend, who was Palace’s assist king last season, has been disappointing, to say the least.
Palace brought in Jordan Ayew on loan from Swansea City in the summer to act as a cover for Benteke but the Ghanaian is yet to get his name on the scoresheet. Both Ayew and youngster Alexander Sorloth have shown glimpses of promise in the final third but neither of them has been able to deliver the goals. As a result, Palace have only scored 5 goals so far. Only Huddersfield Town have scored lesser goals than the Eagles this term.
As things stand, Palace need someone to spearhead the attack. Even if Benteke recovers after a few weeks, it would be hard to expect big things from him given that he hasn’t been at this best since the start of last season. In Ayew and Sorloth, Palace have enough promise in their ranks but they need the presence of an effective leader in the forward line to flourish.
To put things into perspective, Wayne Rooney might be the ideal choice for Hodgson to spearhead his team’s attack. His presence would not only be a massive boost to the forward line in terms of quality but would also bring the best out of the rest of the attackers. With Zaha and Townsend in wide positions and Rooney as the centre-forward, Palace will be a genuine threat in the attacking third.
The 32-year-old is not only a clinical finisher but is equally good at crafting moves from a deeper No.10 position, a versatility that Palace are in dire need of.
Rooney left for the Major League Soccer after registering 10 goals and 2 assists for Everton last season. The 32-year-old has established himself as one of the best players in the MLS this season, scoring 10 goals and providing 6 assists for his team DC United.
The former Manchester United and Everton man has scored some amazing goals this season, evidencing the fact that he is not a spent force by any means. Hence, Roy Hodgson should put his words into action and table a bid in January to lure the talisman back to the Premier League.