Wayne Rooney says axed England star will be a ‘big loss’ for Euro 2024

Wayne Rooney believes the absence of Harry Maguire will be a ‘big loss’ for England at Euro 2024.

Gareth Southgate’s side were beaten in their final friendly before the start of the tournament following a 1-0 defeat to Iceland at Wembley on Friday night.

England started with John Stones and Marc Guehi as their centre-back pairing but the Manchester City defender was forced off at the break with an ankle injury and has added to Southgate’s injury concerns with Luke Shaw also in a race to be fit for the opening game in Group C against Serbia on June 16.

Maguire, meanwhile, was cut from England’s final 26-man squad this week after failing to overcome a calf problem he suffered in April.

And Rooney believes England are already feeling Maguire’s absence due to their ‘disjointed’ defensive display in the loss to Iceland.

‘Obviously, hopefully John’s okay,’ Rooney told Channel 4.

‘Tonight, the back line were a little bit disjointed at times and that’s through a lack of experience and again, that’s something I’m sure Gareth and the coaches will be showing them.

‘They have to get that right because we’re so excited about the attacking players we’ve got in this team, they have to be backed up by the back line and being aggressive.

‘I think tonight actually shows the importance of Harry Maguire to this England team and what a big loss he is to the squad.’

Speaking after England’s defeat at Wembley, Southgate admitted his side were ‘too stretched’ and was unhappy with the lack of cohesion in the press to win back possession.

‘Obviously he’s [Southgate] not too pleased with the pressing, which we and Joe [Cole] were speaking about during the game, we felt it was disjointed,’ Rooney added.

‘When players, ex-players, pundits talk about experience in teams, that’s what the experience gives you is communication, players talking and organising.

‘Tonight I don’t think there was enough players organising when they are pressing, making sure the back line are up, making sure the midfielders are going at the right times, the wide men are going at the right times, that’s what you get with inexperienced players.

‘I think the players will really have to learn from that, I’m sure Gareth will point that out to them, and be a bit more pateint because I think England’s got one of the best teams int he tournament and if they do that they’ve got a chance.’

Asked if England can win the tournament, Rooney replied: ‘Absolutely.

‘As I said before, it’s a very exciting squad, they’ve certainly got the players, they’ve got the firepower.

‘I hope the back line is strong, that’s my only concern.

‘But I think we’ve got more than enough to take teams head-on and if we do that we’ve got a great chance.’

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