Wayne Rooney has pleaded with Thomas Tuchel to rest Harry Kane ‘when he can’ to ensure the England captain doesn’t run out of steam in the latter stages of the World Cup.
The Three Lions sealed top spot in Group L with a 2-0 victory over Panama on Saturday night with Jude Bellingham opening the scoring in the second-half before Kane wrapped up the victory with a 67th minute header.
That goal saw the Bayern Munich striker become England’s all-time leading goalscorer at the World Cup with 11 goals, overtaking Gary Lineker.
The 32-year-old was replaced with six minutes of the game remaining with England legend Rooney insisting he should have been withdrawn immediately after his goal.
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Kane has been ever present in the England team for almost a decade but the former Manchester United star was left worrying about fatigue setting in later on in the competition.
‘In previous tournaments with Harry Kane, I think he has looked a little bit tired towards the end of tournaments,’ Rooney told BBC One.
‘He came off in the 84th minute, I think the minute he scored and England were 2-0 up and the game is done, get him off.
‘Even if it is 20 minutes left, you know in the last 20 minutes of games, that is when you get fatigued and that is when it takes the most out of you.
‘We’re in danger now of going into a World Cup where you have got Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappe, Harry Kane, Vini Jr, all trying to get the Golden Boot.
‘We saw it with Southgate when he never took Kane off, I hope Tuchel learns from that and he gives him a rest when he can.’
England are now likely to meet Senegal or DR Congo in their round of 32 match which will take place on Wednesday in Atlanta.