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Wayne Rooney message for Plymouth Argyle players not making his matchday squads

Argyle defender Julio Pleguezuelo before the Championship match away to Cardiff City on Saturday, October 19, 2024 - Photo: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Wayne Rooney has praised Julio Pleguezuelo for his attitude and character even though the Plymouth Argyle defender has not been making the 20-man matchday squad recently.

The Spanish centre-back made 22 Championship starts plus 10 substitute appearances during his first season with the Pilgrims in 2023/24. However, his only action this term has been in the Carabao Cup ties at home to Cheltenham Town and away to Watford.

The developing partnership of Lewis Gibson and Kornel Szucs in central defence for Argyle has led to that, with Brendan Galloway, who is now out with an ankle injury - and Victor Palsson also limited in their game-time.

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Pleguezuelo, a former Arsenal under-21s captain, played 84 times for his former club FC Twente in the Dutch top flight over four seasons and at the age of 27 will want to be playing first team football. Rooney has urged the Spaniard, and other senior players in a similar situation to him, to be ready to take their chance when it comes.

Rooney said: "When you put together a squad of a lot of players there is always going to be players who are not involved, and that's part of being a footballer. What I can say is Pleggy has trained extremely well, his attitude, his character has been top class. Of course, I know he's frustrated, I know he wants to play but at the minute I think we have found a good partnership in Gibbo and Kornel.

"It's not just Pleggy. Victor Palsson hasn't played a lot of games, Brendan Galloway hasn't played a lot of games. We have got good players there who can't get in the team but they have to be ready and wait for an opportunity, and when that comes they have to take it."

In addition to Pleguezuelo and Palsson, Matty Sorinola has hardly featured for Argyle this season, even on the bench, while teenage prospects Tegan Finn and Caleb Roberts are also pushing to be included.

Rooney said: "The starting 11 are the easiest players to deal with. Then you have the bench and now we have got some senior players who don't make the 20-man squad.

"Of course it's frustrating, it's disappointing for them but it's a long season. Players will get opportunities. I'm sure we will get injuries, I'm sure we will get suspensions - as every team does - and when that happens these players have to be ready to come in."

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