Rooney Is England?

I have just a short comment about the poll in soccernet.com. They asked if England could win the World Cup without Rooney. I said "no", but it was not an entirely correct answer, in my opinion they can't win the World Cup even with Rooney.

Nevertheless, this is England's best chance in many years with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and John Terry hitting their supreme form this season, if form is anything to go by in the World Cup. And it could work for them when many of their key players get a rest towards the end of the season - like Michael Own, Ashley Cole and Ledley King.

Rooney could be a start this World Cup, and many experts believe so... before he broke his foot. Only time will tell if he would recover in time. He would certainly boost England's World Cup hopes with them in the squad. He might be more than just a player - he could be the inspiration England needs, just like how Manchester United rely on him.

Rooney's deputy's include Liverpool's Peter Crouch, Tottenham's Jermaine Defoe and Charlton's Darren Bent. With all due respect, that's not every good prospects for England. Peter Crouch is a useful player in the squad, but he is not as influential or prolific as Wayne Rooney; although a quick Michael Owen running off him might be useful. Jermaine Defoe is a good striker, but is too similiar to Michael Owen and spent most of this season on the bench, which may or may not work against him. As for Darren Bent, I'm a fan of this young lad, he is a fantastic striker with pace and positioning. And for a club like Charlton who is struggling to score goals, his 25 this season just shows his class. However, I feel he lacks the experience especially on the international scene as his club doesn't play in Europe.

And although Alex Ferguson seems to think Rooney's World Cup is over, I would think he has a good possibility. And the anxious wait for England begins. But whether he is the difference between winning the World Cup or not, I'll let you decide.