Wayne Rooney is happy to give Theo Walcott any advice he wants but laughed off suggestions that he is a father figure.It is easy to see why such a statement could be made.
Both men made their international debuts at 17, both captured the headlines at major tournaments and both would appear to be integral figures in Fabio Capello's brave new world for the Three Lions.
In addition, Rooney is closing in on becoming the youngest player in England history to win 50 caps, whereas Walcott will make only his fifth appearance for England in Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Kazakhstan at Wembley.
Yet, as Rooney is quick to point out, there are only three years between the pair.
"Obviously, if I can help Theo I will - but I am not a father figure!" said the Manchester United star.
Walcott was first introduced to the England squad in the build-up to the 2006 World Cup and promptly went to Germany but never played in a bizarre move by Sven-Goran Eriksson.
The youngster was then overlooked throughout Steve McClaren's time in charge, only to show the former Middlesbrough manager exactly what he missed with a mesmerising performance in Croatia last month, when Walcott grabbed a hat-trick and England became the first team to win a qualifying tie at the Maksimir Stadium.
"Theo has made a big difference to us," said Rooney.
"He is probably the quickest player I have ever seen and has brought us something different.
"I am glad he has finally been given the chance to play in some big games.
"He came with us to the World Cup and everyone thought he was going to play more than he has done.
"We had already seen what he can do on the training pitch, now he has produced it in a match. Long may that continue."
Rooney's assessment is not meant to be a criticism of the rather more sedate David Beckham. Neither is his recent praise of Emile Heskey an attack on Michael Owen.
However, it is becoming clear England are moving into a different era, even if many feel Beckham, who is in the squad, and Owen, who is not, would be useful weapons to have on the bench in a crisis.
Rooney's contribution to the success England had in Croatia cannot be ignored either.
The Merseysider rates it as the best performance he has produced for his country, eclipsing the memorable ones at Euro 2004.
And there could be more to come as Dimitar Berbatov's arrival at Old Trafford begins to have an effect.
"More than anything I like to play just off a front man," he said.
"It is probably because I get on the ball more because I don't like to be out of the game too long.
"Some centre-forwards can stay up front, not touch the ball and just look to score goals. I don't really enjoy doing that. I like to be involved in the game.
"Mainly at United I have been used in different roles but maybe the fact Dimitar has arrived will bring some continuity to my game because it is the same type of thing I am used to with England.
"But also the mere fact he is at Old Trafford should take me onto a different level. I am not guaranteed my place in the side anymore."
The early signs are encouraging given Rooney was left on the bench by Sir Alex Ferguson for the home game with Bolton, only to smash home his first league goal of the season following his arrival as a second-half substitute, triggering a scoring run now extended to three successive games.
"I like to play under pressure," he said. "The other week when the manager left me out against Bolton, I was disappointed.
"I just wanted to get on the pitch as quickly as I could and show him what I could do. I like to prove people wrong if I can."
However the improvement comes, it will be welcome from an England perspective.
It may be unfair to suggest someone who has achieved so much in such a short space of time is a disappointment.
Equally, it is undeniable most pundits would have expected more; that he should be challenging Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the title of best player in the world.
"It is right they should be up for these awards and hopefully I can get there one day," said Rooney.
"If I keep working and keep progressing, I would like to think I could at any rate.
"But it is not about me, it is about the team.
"I would rather win a trophy with the team than anything personal. I have always felt like that."
by www.espnstar.com/football/world-cup/news
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