Rooney believes Foden and Grealish are too good to be left out of England team

Wayne Rooney believes Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are too good to be left out of the England starting XI for Euro 2020.

Manchester City youngster Foden starred with a goal and an assist in the 4-1 away win at Premier League champions Liverpool last week.

He is gaining momentum after being handed more opportunities by manager Pep Guardiola.

Grealish, meanwhile, has thrived for Aston Villa this season, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s leading players with six top-flight goals and 10 assists.

Rooney is England’s record goalscorer and thinks the form of the two attacking midfielders has become impossible to ignore ahead of the tournament.

“They have to be in the squad and arguably have to play because they are that good,” the Derby County boss said about Foden and Grealish.

“Phil Foden has been one of the best players in the league this season, I think Guardiola has managed him really well.

“For Phil, it’s about keeping doing what he’s doing. He’s one of the best players in the league this season.

“Foden is performing excellently — scoring, assisting — and hopefully he can carry that form on with England. He is entertaining to watch. 

“When my lad [Kai] used to go into City, I used to see Phil there.

“I spoke to him a couple of times and I could see he’s a very level-headed lad. He was there a lot of the time, but it was just general chat, not me giving him advice.

“There are a few players — not just him. I think Jack Grealish brings something different for the national team.”

20y 255d – Phil Foden is the youngest player to score and assist in a Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield. Stardom. pic.twitter.com/RryzSHQ6nb

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 7, 2021

Foden made his England debut away to Iceland in September but was promptly removed from the squad along with Mason Greenwood for breaking coronavirus protocols.

He responded by scoring a double – his first international goals – in the home match against Iceland in November.

Grealish, meanwhile, has five England caps and manager Gareth Southgate has spoken about the dilemma he faces over whether to play him or Chelsea’s Mason Mount.