- England prepare for Euro match against Denmark on Thursday
- Gareth Southgate’s team can qualify for the round of 16 with a victory
- Listen to It’s all starting! Why leaving out Phil Foden would be an extreme knee-jerk reaction
Wayne Rooney is concerned England stars could get into trouble by participating in broadcasts with popular players while they are away with the Three Lions at Euro 2024.
Along with his former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville, Rooney discussed the problems that could affect Gareth Southgate’s men in Germany.
The former striker has been no stranger to online gaming in recent months after being announced as a star signing for EA Sports FC Pro Club Girth N Turf, which was founded by YouTubers Angry Ginge and Yung Filly, in April.
Rooney raised the dangers of England players taking part in activity during the Euros and warned stars to be “very careful”.
“It’s the current I’ve seen,” he said in the Overlap fan discussion special. ‘(Jordan)Pickford and (Aaron) Ramsdale were with some of these streamers last week.
Wayne Rooney is worried England stars could get into trouble if they are not “very careful” on live broadcasts.
One wrong word while you’re in England on that field. They need to be very careful.
“I did it a few weeks ago with some lads, I was just joking and thought it was funny, but if they’re out of England and they start doing that and say the wrong thing at the wrong time.”
Plymouth Argyle’s new coach caused a stir in a broadcast appearance after he made his teammates laugh, reacting quickly after a foul-mouthed comment was read in the chat.
“For some reason, apparently they call me ‘you’re a fucking fat grandma,’ cheers dude,” said Angry Ginge, whose real name is Morgan Burtwistle. “Someone is obviously not very happy that he won Real Madrid.”
Rooney quickly responded and the 38-year-old deadpanned: “I don’t think that was directed at you.”
The Red Devils’ all-time leading scorer also left fans baffled during a broadcast in April when he revealed his bizarre nightly routine of falling asleep with a hair dryer on.
Neville also expressed concern about camp life during an international tournament, stating that the main problem for “bored” players during their career was cards.
The former right-back hopes current forms of entertainment do not have a similarly “devastating” impact on the group.
“We have to remember that they are young,” he said. “They are active, they get bored quickly in a hotel for a month where they can’t leave because there is security around them.”
‘Card school goes back to my time and I thought it had a devastating impact on morale and mentality.
“The boys were playing all the time. Now you’re talking about FIFA, which is the new collective, and it’s only because they’re bored.
Gary Neville (right) claimed that the problem that plagued players throughout their careers was cards.
Neville said it is very easy for players to get bored while away from England for long periods.
The team is based at the remote Spa & Golf Resort Weimarer Land in Blankenhain.
“I’m sure Gareth will get over it, but there needs to be some kind of control over it because these things can have a big impact.”
England can secure qualification for the last 16 with a win in their second group match against Denmark on Thursday. Southgate faces a couple of selection headaches; whether to persist with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield and how to get the best out of Phil Foden.