Speaking on talkSport, Rooney claimed that, despite the talents of Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham, Manchester City’s Phil Foden stands out as the best.
“For me, the best is Phil Foden,” Rooney said during the interview. “I know he hasn’t played much this season at Manchester City, but at his best, he’s the best footballer in England.”
This endorsement comes as Foden continues to establish himself as one of the brightest talents in the Premier League, despite limited playing time at City.
Rooney also acknowledged the impressive performances of Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
“Cole Palmer has been sensational since he moved to Chelsea, and you can also talk about everything Jude Bellingham is doing at Real Madrid,” Rooney remarked.
However, the former England striker emphasised his preference for Foden, saying, “But for me, the best is Foden. I really enjoy watching him.”
England’s interim coach, Lee Carsley, is now faced with the difficult decision of how to balance these three young stars in the upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and Finland.
Bellingham, who missed the last two matches due to injury, returns to the squad, while Palmer, who played a key role during the Euros, may face tough competition for a starting spot.