- England are preparing for their match at the Euros against Denmark on Thursday
- Gareth Southgate’s side can clinch qualification to the knockouts with a victory
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! Why leaving Phil Foden out would be an extreme knee-jerk reaction
Wayne Rooney is concerned that England’s stars could land themselves in hot water by taking part in streams with popular gamers while away with the Three Lions at Euro 2024.
Alongside his former Manchester United team-mate Gary Neville, Rooney discussed the issues that could plague Gareth Southgate’s men in Germany.
The former striker has been no stranger to online gaming in recent months after being announced as a star signing for EA Sports FC Pro Club Girth N Turf – which was founded by YouTubers Angry Ginge and Yung Filly – in April.
Rooney raised the dangers of England’s players participating in the activity during the Euros and cautioned stars to be ‘really careful’.
‘It’s the stream that I’ve seen,’ He said on the Overlap’s Fan Debate Special. ‘[Jordan]Pickford and [Aaron] Ramsdale were on with some of these streamers last week.
Wayne Rooney is concerned that England’s stars could land themselves in hot water if they are not ‘really careful’ on live streams
‘One wrong word while you’re away with England in that camp. They need to be really careful.
‘I did it a few weeks ago with a few lads, was just messing around and thought it was fun but if they’re away with England and they start doing that and say the wrong thing at the wrong time.’
The new Plymouth Argyle manager caused a stir in one appearance on the stream after he caused his team-mates to burst into laughter, reacting quickly after a foul mouthed comment from the chat was read out.
‘For some reason I am just being called “you are a fat granny s******” apparently, cheers mate,’ said Angry Ginge – real name Morgan Burtwistle. ‘Someone is obviously not very happy that Real Madrid won.’
Rooney was quick to respond with the 38-year-old making the deadpan comment ‘I don’t think that was aimed at you’.
The Red Devils’ all-time top scorer also left fans bemused during a stream in April when he revealed his bizarre nighttime routine of falling asleep with a hairdryer on.
Neville also raised concerns about camp life during an international tournament and claimed the main issue for ‘bored’ players during his career was cards.
The former right-back is hopeful today’s forms of entertainment do not have a similarly ‘devastating’ impact on the group.
‘We’ve got to remember that they are young,’ he said. ‘They’re active, they get bored quickly in a hotel for a month where they can’t go out of the grounds because you’ve got security all around you.
‘The card school was back in my day and I thought it had a devastating impact on morale on mindset.
‘The lads were just playing all the time, Then now you’re talking about FIFA which is the new collective and it’s just because they’re bored.
Gary Neville (right) claimed that the issue plaguing players during his career was cards
Neville said that it is very easy for players to get bored while away with England for long strecthes
The squad are based in the remote Spa & Golf Resort Weimarer Land in Blankenhain
‘I’m sure Gareth will be across it but there does need to be some sort of control over it because these things can have a big impact.’
England can clinch qualification for the knockout stages with a win in their second group match against Denmark on Thursday. Southgate faces a couple of selection headaches; whether to persist with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield and how to get the best out of Phil Foden.
