Becks backs Rooney for Istanbul
Eriksson has no worries about Rooney's temperament, being perfectly willing to throw him into the heated atmosphere awaiting his side in Istanbul.
Indeed, he believes that opponents would be happier to see the "extraordinary talent" of Rooney on the bench rather than in the starting line-up. The real question, however, will be whether Eriksson believes that England would be better served by Emile Heskey's physical presence and experience, rather than Rooney's precocious ability.
After all, Eriksson has already signalled that for all of Rooney's success in the 'hole' behind two strikers in the past two internationals, Paul Scholes will return to that role when fit again.
Not that Scholes' fitness is assured for the October 11 qualifier, but fielding a trio of Rooney, Heskey and Michael Owen could be something of an attacking luxury in such a frenetic encounter.
Rooney, who turns 18 later next month, would therefore seem to be in direct competition with Heskey for a starting role in Istanbul.
Gerrard meant no disrespect to his Liverpool team-mate, but was unequivocal in his belief that the Everton striker should be found some role in the side after his back-to-back scoring displays. "I think he deserves to play. He was unbelievable against Liechtenstein and played very well in that deeper role, although he's played some magic games up front for England as well.
"He has got everything about him. He can pass, he can run at people, cause havoc for defenders, he can score and make goals and I'm sure we'll see a lot more of that."
Beckham, meanwhile, added: "We've always known that Wayne's capable of performing like that, he has done it for his club and now he's doing it for his country. We are lucky to have a talent like that. He's only 17 but it doesn't matter what age you are if you can play like that and put yourself around the pitch like that.
"He deserves to be in the team he would deserve to be in any team."
Asked whether Rooney could cope with the pressure in Turkey, Beckham insisted: "Of course he will. He's a young player but he's already played in volatile atmospheres before and he will be able to handle it, as will the rest of the team." Eriksson seems similarly convinced about Rooney's ability to take anything in his stride, just as Roberto Baggio managed at the same age when he coached him in Serie A.
"He is not afraid of anything and not too impressed by anything either. He is a very confident boy, he knows he is a good footballer and you are born with that," he stressed. "He is always calm and goes out there to play his football in an excellent way. I haven't picked the line-up yet, but I shouldn't be afraid to put him in at the start. He's extremely clever for his age and has shown he can do that new role excellently. His defending and tracking back were also very good."
Most importantly, Rooney displayed the priceless ability to find space and then either pick out a defence-splitting pass or ghost past his marker.
With a month left before the all-important game in Istanbul, when England need a point to progress, injuries could yet affect Eriksson's thinking.
However, asked whether opponents would be happier to see Rooney on the bench, he admitted: "I think so, because he doesn't just have one talent, such as goalscoring.
"He's good at many things. He can also play in people, drop off, dribble with it or shoot.
"Can he achieve anything in his career? I think so. I mean, at 17, he can play for how many years still? 15? 16?
"What will happen to him, you never know. But he's one of those extraordinary talents that is very difficult to find. Hopefully he will continue like that."
The last word must nevertheless be left to Liechtenstein keeper Peter Jehle, who admitted that "I knew all about Rooney, but he's even better than I thought".
Jehle added: "I think he must play in Turkey because he will make it so hard for their defenders."
If that does not convince Eriksson, consider this for a moment. When Turkey read the England team-sheet, whose name will cause them most fear? Heskey or Rooney?
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