21. Yannick Bolasie
Crystal Palace are going places with manager Alan Pardew creating a side full of pace and direct running. The best asset of this game plan is Yannick Bolasie, a Congolese international who runs at fullbacks without fear. This is a part of Rooney’s game which has left him with dramatic consequences. The United skipper used to take on defenders with abandon, but with the weight of the world on his shoulders he now plays with doubt and hesitation. An element of that is a lack of confidence in his teammates, another part of it is the aging process catching up with him.
20. Theo Walcott
Similar in size, but not in stature. Theo Walcott’s versatility as either a front man or wide right winger makes him a weapon at EPL and international level, making him an asset Roy Hodgson and Arsene Wenger cannot do without. The quality might not always be there from the Gunner, but when it shows it’s absolutely devastating for defenders. Rooney has more God-given skill, yet no one would consider the United veteran a better bet at this point in their careers.
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