Rooney: Calvert-Lewin deserved England chance before Abraham

Wayne Rooney has backed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to build on his impressive start with England, believing the Everton forward deserved an opportunity at international level ahead of Tammy Abraham. 

Calvert-Lewin scored 15 goals in all competitions for his club in the 2019-20 season but had to patiently wait for his chance at international level.

However, a great start to the new campaign led to a debut for the 23-year-old against Wales this month. He seized the opportunity, finding the net in a 3-0 triumph for Gareth Southgate s side at Wembley.

Abraham, meanwhile, made his England bow back in 2017, his chance coming at a time when he was still yet to break into the first-team picture at Chelsea. 

In his column for the Sunday Times, Rooney raised concerns over players based in the north having to work harder  to get an England call-up.

On Calvert-Lewin, Rooney stated:  For England, he can become an important member of the squad and it s great seeing him finally recognised at international level. 

I ve always thought young lads from the north have to work harder to get their England opportunities than boys from the big southern clubs.  

I felt Calvert-Lewin deserved his chance before Chelsea s Tammy Abraham.

1985 Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the first Everton striker to score for England at Wembley since in October 1985 vs Turkey. Toffee.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)

Calvert-Lewin has scored seven times in the Premier League already this term, helping Carlo Ancelotti s Everton make the early running. 

Rooney saw the forward at close quarters when he returned for a second spell at his boyhood club and has praised the work done by coach Duncan Ferguson in Calvert-Lewin s development. 

Dominic always had it in him and the big question mark was whether he could score consistently enough, but now that is coming through game time, Rooney continued.

When I returned to Everton he was entering his second season with the club. I looked at him in training and thought he has everything . 

He was quick, strong, good in the air. His only downfall was he was snatching at chances but he was already working hard to correct that and Duncan Ferguson deserves a lot of credit because Duncan would always stay with him after training and give him finishing drills.  

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