Struggling big guns give us hope of winning World Cup, says Wayne Rooney

Tom Collomosse
08.10.09

Wayne Rooney is thrilled to see Argentina and France struggling to qualify for the World Cup as he believes it gives England a better chance of winning the trophy.

England are already through to the finals meaning the striker goes into Saturday's clash in Ukraine with the pressure off as he looks to cement his place as the top scorer in the European qualifying zone.

However, other former World Cup winners have not found it so easy. Argentina and France still face an uphill struggle to reach next summer's tournament, while Italy and Germany have also to book their places.

"We're delighted we've qualified," said Rooney, who has scored nine goals in Group Six. "And when you see Italy jostling with Ireland for top spot, and Argentina struggling to qualify, it is exciting for us.

"The confidence will grow within the squad. To get into the England team under Fabio Capello, you always need to be playing at your best for your club. The matches against Ukraine and Belarus next week are important. The manager has made it clear that we need to go through the group unbeaten."

Rooney has a two-goal lead in the European scoring list with his nearest rivals being Spain's David Villa and Bosnia's Edin Dzeko.

Valencia's Villa is out of the final qualifiers due to a leg injury but Wolfsburg striker Dzeko can close the gap during Saturday's game in Estonia and the clash in Spain four days later. Rooney said: "There aren't too many games now before the World Cup and from a personal point of view to finish the qualification as the leading scorer in Europe would be something I would be very proud of."

The Manchester United forward is desperate to improve his fortunes in World Cups after a difficult first one in Germany in 2006.

Rooney had struggled to recover from a foot injury before the tournament and was sent off in the quarter-final defeat by Portugal, but he insisted: "I have more or less forgotten that. It's natural to get more mature as time goes on.

"I was in the team at 17 and if you're at that age and playing for your country, you're going to be passionate and the emotions will be running high when you're out on the training pitch."

Rooney has been in sparkling form and Michael Carrick believes the best defenders in the game are having nightmares about facing his team-mate.

The United midfielder said: "Defenders will be scared of coming up against Wayne. It is all building towards him doing very well next summer."