Peter Crouch: Pressure off Wayne Rooney at World Cup with youngsters in England team

Pressure reduced?

Stoke City striker Peter Crouch believes that the inclusion of youngsters in the England squad for the World Cup has reduced pressure on Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

With young forwards and midfielders like Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Ross Barkley and Alex Oxlade Chamberlian in the squad, this will certainly reduce the pressure on Wayne Rooney.

Peter Crouch said, “The last two World Cups have all been about if Rooney stays fit then we are going to win it. The pressure was ridiculous on him.

“But now we have other players in the squad. I can’t even remember Rooney being mentioned too much in the lead up to this World Cup. I think taking a bit of pressure off him and letting him enjoy his football can only be a good thing.”

“What is good about the squad at the minute is there are a lot of young players and it is a bit different.”

“Hopefully they’ll go into the tournament with less fear and the lack of experience can help the players. I genuinely do believe that. They will go out there and continue what they have been doing this season.

“Sturridge and Sterling seem to be playing with so much freedom at Liverpool and if they can take that into the World Cup with other players like Barkley and Adam Lallana – really exciting players – then I’ll be excited to see them on the world stage.”