If there is one player that England absolutely cannot do without next month it's Wayne Rooney.

At the end of arguably his finest season at Manchester United, Rooney's determination on the pitch and a personal best turnover of 34 goals make him the player that team mates and fans are counting on in South Africa.Sir Alex Ferguson, however, is said to be concerned that United have come to rely too heavily on their prized striker. Undoubtedly the manager is pondering whether his team's failure to seize the Premier League title from Chelsea, or progress in the Champion's League, is linked to Rooney's injury worries during the season's climax.

"Football managers aren't the only ones who should be concerned about becoming too reliant on one star talent," said Collingwood's Managing Director, Doug Mackay.

"Increasingly, through the downturn, I see companies expecting more and more from their best people who are working incredibly hard to meet targets, but they aren't always getting the rewards they deserve.
As confidence begins to return to the jobs market, the best people will be courted first and that could be disastrous for the employer who relies on them."

Even Wayne Rooney appears increasingly aware of his value to his club. In a speech to the Football Writers' Association Awards dinner, where he was named Player of the Year, he was asked to explain the dramatic increase in the number of headers he has scored this season.

He reportedly replied: "The manager said before the season started that he wanted me to score more headers. I said to him that last season it was me crossing the ball. I asked him if he wanted me to get on the end of my own crosses."

Similar problems exist at Liverpool where Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are frequently hailed as being in a league of their own.

"Experience has proved to me that without a strong team to back them up or adequate rewards and opportunities, the best performers won't stay around," said Doug.

"I know of one guy in a sales team of six who is single-handedly bringing in 95% of the turnover. He, like others I can think of, has kept his head down and carried on so far but I expect those people to move on when, not if, the right offer is made to them."

Experts at Collingwood are advising companies to reassess their retention policy, taking account of the difficulties their teams have encountered, and survived, throughout the recession.

"I predict that there will be a sudden rise in the number of high calibre professionals jumping ship in the coming months as the economy begins to stabilise and people begin to see a future beyond their current position," said Doug.

And while Wayne Rooney is assured of maintaining his place in England's elite, Fabio Capello and England fans alike will be praying that the striker's intense season in the Premiership won't undermine his form in South Africa.