Wayne Rooney has urged England manager Gareth Southgate to leave Harry Kane and Mason Mount out of his team to face Wales.
The Three Lions take on Robert Page's side at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on Tuesday and need to avoid a heavy defeat to reach the last 16 of the World Cup. Wales, meanwhile, must beat England and hope Iran's game against the United States ends in a draw.
Former England captain Rooney believes current skipper Kane can be rested for England's final group game, despite their fate still hanging in the balance. The Manchester United legend also thinks it's time for Mount to be dropped from the starting XI.
Many critics have called for Southgate to reshuffle his team after England's goalless draw against the US on Friday, with the Three Lions managing just three shots on target. That result came after England thrashed Iran 6-2 in the opening game four days earlier.
"England’s performance was not great on Friday and there is no getting away from the fact that they will need to play a lot better to have a chance of winning this World Cup," wrote Rooney in his column for The Times.
"Gareth Southgate needs to make changes for Tuesday’s game with Wales and given that it would almost take a miracle not to qualify, it’s the perfect opportunity for him to give minutes to players who have not been used much so far."
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Rooney wants Southgate to stick with Jordan Pickford in goal and a back four of Kieran Trippier, John Stones, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. He also wants his ex-boss to continue with three in midfield and push Jude Bellingham into Mount's No.10 role.
Rooney has urged Southgate to play Kalvin Phillips alongside Declan Rice in midfield, recreating their famous partnership from Euro 2020. If Phillips is not fit due to his shoulder injury, Rooney believes the experienced Jordan Henderson should step into midfield.
In terms of Phil Foden, Rooney is the latest player to call for the Manchester City youngster's inclusion. Foden has played just 19 minutes of football at the World Cup and was left on the bench against the US, despite being a regular for the great Pep Guardiola.
Rooney added: "I found it very strange that Foden did not come on as a substitute against the USA. He would be a key part of my starting XI if I were the England boss. Technically, he is the best footballer England have... you simply have to play him."
Rooney believes Foden should play down the left, with Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling battling for a spot on the right. He's given the metaphorical No.9 shirt to Callum Wilson to help Kane "stay fit" ahead of the knockout stages of the tournament.
Wayne Rooney's England starting XI vs Wales: Jordan Pickford; Kieran Trippier, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips/Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham; Bukayo Saka/Raheem Sterling, Callum Wilson, Phil Foden.
