Slovakia v England: The damning stats that show how deep Wayne Rooney is playing for Three Lions
England captain bogged down in midfield despite promise to play him further forward
THIS is the damning evidence that proves Wayne Rooney plays too deep for England.
Rooney celebrated breaking the record for the number of appearances for the Three Lions for an outfield player when he started the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.
But despite new boss Sam Allardyce promising his captain would be playing in an advanced role, his first half display was anything but as an attacker.
Allardyce said: "Wayne's position has changed at Manchester United and that is where I will play him."
Instead, the Manchester United man started in midfield and worked his way deeper as the game went on.
At one stage it had got so bad he was the deepest outfield England player on the pitch.
By the 39th minute, England's all-time record goalscorer had only touched the ball four times in the attacking third of the pitch - and three of those were taking corners.
His display was at odds to the way united boss Jose Mourinho wants him to play.
Mourinho said: "Maybe he's not a striker any more. Maybe he is not a No 9 anymore but he will never, with me, be a No.6.
"He will never be 50 metres from the goal. For me he will be a No 9 or a No 10 or a nine-and-a-half, but with me he will never be a No 6 or even a No 8."