Wayne Rooney has admitted he’d have ‘done everything’ to get Jamie Vardy out of retirement and back starting for England at the European Championship.
The Derby boss and former England captain, who scored 53 goals in 120 appearances for the Three Lions during his career, said the Leicester striker could have even been a potential starter for Southgate’s men as he would compliment Harry Kane’s playing style.
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Vardy called time on his international career in 2018 as it was believed he didn’t want to play second fiddle to Kane.
Rooney, however, reckons he still has a lot to give in the England shirt and would have done all he could to persuade him to feature at the tournament if he was in charge.
“One man I wish was in Gareth’s squad is Jamie Vardy,” Rooney wrote in his Sunday Times column. “I would have tried absolutely everything to lure him out of retirement for these finals.
“I know some people may be surprised at this, especially with the legal case between my wife and Jamie’s wife, but this is my honest football opinion.
“He may be 34, but Jamie is still a brilliant player, who was involved in 24 goals in the Premier League this season and would have been a great asset – not only as an impact sub but as a potential starter.
“Look at how Kane has been playing for Tottenham Hotspur, dropping deeper and playing through balls – Jamie could have been running on to them.”
Vardy netted 17 Premier League goals this term – his lowest tally in four years – as Leicester narrowly missed out on Champions League football with a fifth-placed finish.
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