The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes as Fabio Capello, expresses concerns about Wayne Rooney's aggression.
Football: Wayne Rooney - Frustration!
After England's international win over the USA, manager Fabio Capello, has stated that he wants to speak to Wayne Rooney about his aggressive tackling. Both in training, and in the competitive arena, Capello is concerned about the way Rooney channels his aggression.
It's nearly six years now, since Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene. An unfettered talent, with breath-taking skill and vision. Since that time, he has become assimilated into the professional game. Asked to play a variety of roles. Much more a team-player, than the brilliant individual of 2002 vintage.
But with it, his uniqueness has become compromised. Yes, he can still score brilliant goals. But he no longer has the aura of genius, that surrounded him as a sixteen year old. Capello may want to tackle Rooney's aggression in the tackle. But the roots of it, may lie in Rooney's personal frustration.
Frustration, that his talent is not matched by the level of performance, he knows he was once capable of. Talent to take on players; score breath-taking goals; have the crowd on it's feet.
Now no longer a player that opponents truly fear. Once, he was able to touch levels of the game, that no opponent could handle. He was talked of in the same breath as Maradona; Best; Cruyff. Here was a young player, blessed with the talent, to make his mark on the game, as those greats did.
Now, he can be contained. And that must be a source of frustration to the child-prodigy. To quell his aggression, Capello may have to get inside Wayne Rooney's mind. Discover how much he is enjoying his football. Find out how happy he is. Is he playing to the limits of his ability? What frustrations is he feeling? What is missing from his game?
Wayne Rooney's aggression, may simply be his best attempts, to channel his energy. Energy that is not being used for what he does best. Which is to deliver sublime moments of football genius. The last thing Wayne Rooney wants to become, is just another footballer.
