Former England international Paul Merson has said Roy Hodgson should build his team around Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling, rather than Wayne Rooney.
Sterling was the one bright spark in what was another disappointing evening for the Three Lions, who huffed and puffed to a 1-0 win over Norway at Wembley.
The 19-year-old won the penalty which newly appointed captain Rooney converted, and Merson believes Hodgson should play Sterling in the number 10 role behind Daniel Sturridge ahead of the Manchester United man.
“Sterling was the shining light,” Merson told Sky Sports News. “He was outstanding.
“For the Switzerland game, I would let Sterling go and do what he wants. When he plays out on the wing he comes inside but you need to get him on the ball.
“At the moment he’s the one playing with all the confidence in the world. When that happens you need to take advantage of that and let him be around the play a lot more.
“I’d play Wayne Rooney out on the left and put Sterling in the centre and let him get on the ball because, at the moment, he’s the man bang in form.
“It’s Roy’s job to get these players into the right positions.”
