Wayne Rooney's controversial statements about Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden

Rooney, now coaching Plymouth in the Championship (England's second division), shared his thoughts during an interview on the sports radio station talkSport. The conversation centered around England's squad selection for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Greece and Finland, led by interim coach Lee Carsley.

“For me, the best is Phil Foden. I know he hasn’t played much this season at Manchester City, but at his best, he’s the best footballer in England,” Rooney stated.

He also acknowledged the impressive performances of Cole Palmer, who has shone since his move to Chelsea, and Jude Bellingham, who is making waves at Real Madrid. However, Rooney remained firm in his stance: “Palmer has been sensational since joining Chelsea, and we can’t ignore everything Bellingham is doing at Real Madrid, but for me, Foden is the best. I really enjoy watching him play.”

Carsley now faces the tough decision of which player to leave out, with all three stars available for selection. Bellingham missed the last two matches due to injury, while Palmer had a supporting role during the European Championship, coming off the bench throughout the tournament, including in the final where he scored the equalizer against Spain.

Rooney’s endorsement of Foden adds fuel to the ongoing discussion about England’s brightest football talent, particularly as all three young stars continue to make their mark on the international stage.