Twenty years ago, Wayne Rooney went to Euro 2004 as England's star boy. His first dance would actually be his best. Can Jude Bellingham do better?
England sealed qualification for Euro 2024 with a 3-1 win over Italy on Tuesday night featuring two Harry Kane goals, but all the chatter was about Jude Bellingham and the idea of him carrying the Three Lions to glory next summer. It is reminiscent of 20 years ago when another young English player had the world talking and made the Euros his own: Wayne Rooney. There are many similarities and parallels between then and now, but also a warning.
That record was later broken by Theo Walcott, who was part of the lost generation between so-called golden generations, while Bellingham sits in third. As mentioned, both players are at the forefront of much-fabled ‘Golden Generations’ that have many things in common. The timelines may not fully add up given the quick succession of tournaments in recent times, but there are parallels.
At centre-back, Harry Maguire’s position is under threat as he isn’t playing enough for Manchester United but who could replace him? Twenty years ago, the question of who would replace another United defender, Rio Ferdinand, was more pressing given he would not be at the tournament due to a missed drug test.
Not a similarity but more of an interesting titbit at left-back – Ashley Cole, the starter at Euro 2004, had his England career ended after Luke Shaw, presumed starter at Euro 2024, was selected ahead of him for the 2014 World Cup. At the time, it felt as though England would have countless chances at success with Rooney not even in his 20s, but it never happened.
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