The scarcity of English players in the Premier League is a problem for the national team, according to the England manager Fabio Capello.

In an interview for Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian described Wayne Rooney as one of the three best young players in the world but believes the Manchester United striker needs to get in the penalty box more. And Capello added that, no, he does not dye his hair.

Capello said Rooney and Lionel Messi were the "two young players anyone would want in their team, together with Cristiano Ronaldo ... Wayne is extraordinary, he has talent and desire to learn. [Sir Alex] Ferguson taught him a lot, I've only had to refine details.

"I've told him that goals are best scored within the 12-metre zone. Besides, Ronaldo's departure from Manchester has made him [Rooney] more responsible. At United he is much more involved now."

Capello also revealed he felt pressure to pick Rooney's occasional United striking partner Michael Owen for the World Cup "given that he is the best England goalscorer of all time". "But I cannot select him if he does not play," he commented.

Asked if his mission would be completed with a World Cup semi-final spot, Capello said it would "be good, but I am never content, even if in the Premer League there are only 38 per cent English players, against 67 per cent of Italy and 63 per cent of Spain. As to our opponents, I will only say that those who have most impressed me are Brazil and Spain".

Capello said he wants to win, irrespective of style. "Every national side plays according to their characteristics and the kind of entertainment they like. But, as someone said, 'Winning is all that matters'."

His no-nonsense image was also reinforced by two declarations: firstly that he is strongly against swearing on the pitch ("But if they use TV evidence for this, they should use it for all that happens on the pitch as well") and that, contrary to rumour, he does not dye his hair: "No, unfortunately for those who think I do. I do not need to."