An “agenda” against Wayne Rooney could harm England’s World Cup prospects, midfielder Frank Lampard has warned.
Scrutiny of Rooney’s place in the side intensified when the striker played in a wide role in the 2-1 loss to Italy.
“A fixation on one player – one of our most important players – is not going to help anyone,” said Lampard, 35.
Winger Raheem Sterling, who occupied Rooney’s position, said returning to their regular roles could be positive when England play Uruguay on Thursday.
“It’s up to the manager to decide,” said Sterling, 19. “That’s my normal position on the wing. So Wayne’s vision and passing abilities and my running abilities, that could be a really good thing.”
Sterling joked he hoped he not to see Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez on the field at the Arena de Sao Paulo, but insisted Uruguay “have other world-class players” aside from the Reds striker, who is recovering from injury.
Sterling’s impressive display against Italy has prompted further speculation that Rooney – fifth on England’s all-time scoring records with 39 goals – could again be denied the central role he prefers.
“It’s a bit frustrating from a team group perspective,” added Lampard, an unused substitute against Italy. “A fixation can become an agenda rather than a debate.
“I think we are dwelling on something here that we don’t need to look for. The moment we start to focus on individuals again and again it can become detrimental.”
Rooney found the net 17 times in the Premier League for Manchester United in 2013-14 but is goalless in his nine World Cup finals games.
Former England striker Alan Shearer suggested Rooney should be dropped if he was not going to be used in his familiar berth, despite his cross leading to Daniel Sturridge’s equaliser against Italy.
The decision for national boss Roy Hodgson comes ahead of a pivotal fixture, as defeat against Oscar Tabarez’s side on Thursday could eliminate England at the group stage for the first time since 1958.
And Lampard says he wants England’s players to focus on getting a result rather than playing well in defeat as they did against Italy.
“Basically, all the pressure then goes on to one game,” added Lampard. “Prepare like a cup final. Shut off, focus, but this is a cup final for us because we know the repercussions if we lose it.”
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