Post by Taxigirl on Apr 26, 2005 8:17:23 GMT
skysports.planetfootball.com
by Tom Adams
Young Player of the Year Wayne Rooney believes that England have the players to win the World Cup in Germany next year.
Rooney has enjoyed a tremendous twelve months for both club and country, and, after a starring role in Euro 2004 that saw him claim four goals, is now targeting further international glory in 2006.
The former Everton star insisted that Sven Goran Eriksson's young squad had the necessary depth and quality to walk off with the game's biggest prize in Germany, and revealed that the spirit in the national setup was better than ever.
"Looking at the England squad now, we've got a lot of young and good players, people like Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole, John Terry and Stewart Downing, who's just come into the squad, as well as players like Steven Gerrard," Rooney said.
"We've definitely got the players to win the World Cup.
"It's going to be a tough tournament but we feel we can go all the way.
"There's a buzz about the England team now that there might not have been for a few years, we all believe in
ourselves as a group.
"Speaking to the masseurs, who have been around the squad a long time, they tell me this is the best spirit they've seen with the England team.
"Every player wants to work for each other in the team now and, if we can keep that going, we can only get better."
Despite the individual plaudits that have come his way Rooney also admitted that he was frustrated with the way Manchester United's season has progressed.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side find themselves four points behind second place Arsenal again after The Gunners beat arch-rivals Tottenham on Monday night, with tricky UEFA Champions League qualifiers a distinct possibility.
Whilst The Red Devils have the chance to retain the FA Cup against Arsene Wenger's side the season so far has been one of disappointment, and Rooney recognises that expectations are higher at one of the World's biggest sides.
"You have to look to win things at United, the fans and everyone has that expectation on Manchester United to win things," Rooney continued.
"The season we've had in the league hasn't been what we wanted. We can still get second place and that's our aim, and if we can do that and win the FA Cup - though we know it will be a tough game against Arsenal - that will be something.
"It's important to be second because then we won't have to pre-qualify for the Champions League next season."
by Tom Adams
Young Player of the Year Wayne Rooney believes that England have the players to win the World Cup in Germany next year.
Rooney has enjoyed a tremendous twelve months for both club and country, and, after a starring role in Euro 2004 that saw him claim four goals, is now targeting further international glory in 2006.
The former Everton star insisted that Sven Goran Eriksson's young squad had the necessary depth and quality to walk off with the game's biggest prize in Germany, and revealed that the spirit in the national setup was better than ever.
"Looking at the England squad now, we've got a lot of young and good players, people like Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole, John Terry and Stewart Downing, who's just come into the squad, as well as players like Steven Gerrard," Rooney said.
"We've definitely got the players to win the World Cup.
"It's going to be a tough tournament but we feel we can go all the way.
"There's a buzz about the England team now that there might not have been for a few years, we all believe in
ourselves as a group.
"Speaking to the masseurs, who have been around the squad a long time, they tell me this is the best spirit they've seen with the England team.
"Every player wants to work for each other in the team now and, if we can keep that going, we can only get better."
Despite the individual plaudits that have come his way Rooney also admitted that he was frustrated with the way Manchester United's season has progressed.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side find themselves four points behind second place Arsenal again after The Gunners beat arch-rivals Tottenham on Monday night, with tricky UEFA Champions League qualifiers a distinct possibility.
Whilst The Red Devils have the chance to retain the FA Cup against Arsene Wenger's side the season so far has been one of disappointment, and Rooney recognises that expectations are higher at one of the World's biggest sides.
"You have to look to win things at United, the fans and everyone has that expectation on Manchester United to win things," Rooney continued.
"The season we've had in the league hasn't been what we wanted. We can still get second place and that's our aim, and if we can do that and win the FA Cup - though we know it will be a tough game against Arsenal - that will be something.
"It's important to be second because then we won't have to pre-qualify for the Champions League next season."