Wayne Rooney is currenly behind the likes of Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge and even Jamie Vardy on current form, leading people to question his place in the England starting eleven. However, could the versatile Man United striker play elsewhere to accommodate Hodgson’s sudden wealth of striking options?

Every England team, from every generation, has always produced a cluster of great players in one position. The so-called ‘Golden Generation’ of a few years ago had an overabundance of central midfielders. It was a similar story in the 90s with an over-supply of striking talent. Andy Cole, Robbie Fowler, Teddy Sheringham and Matt le Tissier all failed to make Hoddle’s 1998 World Cup squad, such was the excess of striking options he had at the time.

On the other hand, England have suffered in other areas of the pitch. It is a great luxury to have competition for places, although it is one, which at times, England have not been able to afford.

The pool of talent is thought to be smaller than it has ever been for English players in the Premier League. There seems to be a lack of depth in every position. Therefore the thought of having Sturridge, Kane or Rooney on the bench is unthinkable.

As a result it should be proposed that Rooney moves to an attacking midfield position, an area of the pitch where England are particularly lacking at the moment. Since Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard's retirement, England have required a goal-scoring midfielder.

Simply put, Wayne Rooney is England’s best midfielder at the moment; he has the range of passing and the tenacity to get up and down the pitch.

England manager Roy Hodgson recently suggested to the press that Ross Barkley should learn from the likes of Francesco Totti and Roberto Baggio if he wants to play his way into his Euro 2016 squad. Barkley’s form has been promising, although surely Rooney is a far better qualified number 10 at the moment, and much more in the mould of Totti or Baggio.

It is a mouthwatering prospect to have Rooney supplying the likes of Sturridge and Kane from midfield. The England captain has played in a midfield role many times for Man United, to a high level, and any criticism he did receive for his performances stemmed from the fact that United lacked the strikers to use Rooney elsewhere on the pitch. Thankfully for England they are producing a wealth of strikers to match the class of 1998.

So it’s time for Hodgson to think a little outside of the box and take a risk for once, before his time as England manager limps to its unremarkable conclusion.

[ad_pod id='writeforus' align='center']