Wayne Rooney has blasted Ivan Toney after the England striker left Brentford for Saudi Arabia back in the summer.
The striker was linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal during the transfer window – only for all three clubs to swoop for alternatives instead.
With Toney eager to leave Brentford, the 28-year-old decided to move to Saudi with Al-Ahli.
He has made a good start to life in his new surroundings, netting two goals from four Saudi Pro League matches and clocking up one assist along the way.
Wayne Rooney has blasted Ivan Toney ahead of England’s Nations League clash with Greece on Thursday night
TALKSPORT
With Toney now strutting his stuff in the Middle East, Lee Carsley has left him out of his England squad for upcoming fixtures with Greece and Finland.
And Rooney, speaking to talkSPORT, has now said he may have ruined his international career by choosing to join Al-Ahli.
“I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know,” he said when asked who would be England’s next talisman after Harry Kane.
“Ivan Toney went [to Euro 2024], Ollie Watkins went, [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin’s been off it the last few years. So, that’s up for grabs I think.
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“Ivan Toney might have ruined his chances with his move [to Saudi Arabia]. So, you have Ollie Watkins and Callum Wilson’s had his injury issues.
“I don’t think there’s a standout player and this is when we’re talking about young players.
“For young players, who are maybe in their U18s or U21s, they will look and think about the next two to four years. We’ve seen it happen with Kobbie Mainoo who came into the squad.
“You might be looking and thinking, ‘I might be the next England No 9.’
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“That should give you that desire and that drive to go and push for that.”
Rooney was also asked to name England’s best player.
And he overlooked the likes of Kane, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer by choosing to go with Phil Foden instead.
“Foden for me,” he stated.
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Wayne Rooney has accused Ivan Toney of ruining his England career after the striker left Brentford back in the summer
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“I know he has not played that much this season for City, but I think Foden, when he is at his best England’s got.”
Rooney did, however, praise Palmer and Bellingham amid their fine performances for Chelsea and Real Madrid.
“I think Cole Palmer has been sensational last season and the start of this season,” he added.
“Jude Bellingham is doing amazing at Real Madrid.
Wayne Rooney believes Phil Foden is England’s best player ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Greece
TALKSPORT
“But Foden, for me, is the one I really enjoy watching.”
England last faced Greece back in 2006.
The Three Lions won 4-0 on that occasion, with Peter Crouch bagging a brace and further goals from Chelsea icons John Terry and Frank Lampard completing the rout.