How Can England Replace Wayne Rooney?

This red card vs Montenegro means Rooney will miss at least 1 game of Euro 2012

A vintage performance from Wayne Rooney in his new found #10 role was spoilt after  he was sent off for England during their 2-2 draw in Montenegro. After starting the move that led to Ashley Young's opener and playing the through ball for Ashley Young to set up Darren Bent for the second goal everything looked good. However after mis-controlling the ball, Rooney lashed out at Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic and received a straight red card from referee Wolfgang Stark - ruling him out of the start of the European Championships next summer.

The Manchester United hitman will miss the opening game of the Euro 2012 group stages without doubt. It then came to light that he could miss the first two games or even the entire group stage as a whole if UEFA see fit to extend the ban. So how do England cope without their best player for the group stages of the European Championships? Mr Capello has stated since the sending off that Rooney will not start again for England until he has served his ban in the tournament next summer  - meaning he will not start the 5 friendlies in the build up to the tournament (including vs Spain and Holland), so that Capello can find Rooney's replacement. The question is, who and what are Fabio's options?

CHANGE OF FORMATION?

Fabio was a huge fan of the 4-4-2 during the disastrous 2010 World Cup, but since then he's leaned more towards the 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 with Rooney leading the attack up until the 2-0 win vs Wales in Cardiff where Darren Bent led the line with Rooney playing just off him. So is the 4-3-3 an option without Rooney?

It certainly is. With Steven Gerrard set to return for Liverpool this weekend he will be looking to put in some good performances ahead of the upcoming internationals in order to force his way back into the side. England haven't really missed his dynamic approach to the game due to the stable partnership formed in midfield between Scott Parker and Gareth Barry and Wayne Rooney's emergence in the #10 role for England. However a fully fit and firing Steven Gerrard and a fit Jack Wilshere would surely be enough to displace that partnership and do enough to replace Wayne Rooney. With Ashley Young, Theo Walcott and Darren Bent in the front 3 the team will still have plenty of pace and ability, add Gerrard's finishing ability and Wilshere's passing to that and it could be a very good balance in midfield and attack.

Could this midfield pairing be the answer?

Another option could be the 4-2-3-1 which has featured prominently in European football for the last few years but England has yet to really catch on to so far. This formation seems to suit the majority of the team, with Parker and Wilshere/Barry playing deeper in the double pivot, with Gerrard playing in an advanced role (where he spent his most successful season in this role behind Torres), with Bent ahead of him as the poacher playing on the last man.  When defending it could transform into the previous formation (4-3-3) so is very flexible.

POTENTIAL PERSONNEL REPLACEMENTS?

After the game in Montenegro, Capello said he would look at other striking options and that Rooney wouldn't be guaranteed a spot on his return from a ban. So who realistically could replace him in the England set-up in the upcoming friendlies/European Championships?

Daniel Sturridge - Chelsea
Apps: 3 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 1

Since his return from a loan spell at Bolton, Sturridge has settled in well to Andre Villas-Boas' new look Chelsea side, featuring more on the right hand side of a front 3. He's scored 3 goals in his 3 games so far this season and got himself an assist showing he can be creative and a goalscoring threat at the same time, much like Wayne Rooney although not on his level.

Danny Welbeck
Apps: 4(2) | Goals: 5 | Assists: 1

Danny Welbeck spent last season on loan at Sunderland but this season has broken into Manchester United's first team and staked his claim for a starting spot in their team too. He made his England debut vs Ghana at Wembley in March and made his competitive debut for England in the game vs Montenegro as a substitute. His form could see him get a chance to stake a claim for a starting place.

Andy Carroll

Apps: 5(2) | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0

 Andy Carroll has struggled so far this season, but his goal in the Merseyside derby last weekend may be just what he needed to kick start his season. That was his only goal so far this season and he has 0 assists but he offers something completely different to Rooney and that may be something Capello will look at if he can pick up his form.

Bobby Zamora

Apps: 4 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 3

Bobby Zamora's had a superb start to the season, with 3 goals and 3 assists in his 4 games this season. Although he isn't anything like Rooney in his style of play he's starting to prove himself as a good finisher as well as link man getting assists too. Surely competing for a spot as the 'big-man' with Andy Carroll it's hard to see him not getting a chance with his current form.

Jermain Defoe
Apps: 4(1) | Goals: 2 | Assists: 0

Jermain Defoe seems to have struck up a good partnership with big man Emmanuel Adebayor for Spurs as a typical poacher. 2 goals so far this season doesn't seem much, but his work defensively and his off the ball movement is enough to cause Capello a few headaches when it comes to the selection process - and the Italian has already noticed Defoe's performances this season.

CONCLUSION

A number of potential replacements are at Capello's disposal then, it's just a matter of what formation will the Italian play to decide who could be the man to replace England and Manchester United's #10. Either way it will make for fascinating scenes when the situation arises, especially if the ban gets extended on Thursday.

Do you agree with the points made? Have I missed someone out? 

Post your comments below!

I choose you! Who will Fabio pick to replace Rooney?

*Stats taken from WhoScored