Season › 2017-18 › News Rooney ready to leave Everton for DC United Lyndon Lloyd Thursday , 10 May, 2018 234comments | Jump to most recent Updated Wayne Rooney is reportedly set to make a high-profile move to DC United, with a £12m deal close to being agreed. The suggestion yesterday was that Rooney would prefer to remain at Everton for the final year of his contract but was looking for assurances that he will be part of the manager's plans for next season before deciding whether or not to make the switch to Major League Soccer. That was the contention of separate reports in the Liverpool Echo and The Times' northwest football correspondent, Paul Joyce in the wake of a Washington Post article that the 32-year-old is eyeing a transfer to the United States. The crux of the issue under that scenario for Rooney is just who the manager will be after the end of this season, with speculation continuing that Sam Allardyce could be replaced as major shareholder Farhad Moshiri looks to get the club moving forward again towards the aim of Champions League qualification. The Daily Mail then reported, however, that Rooney has informed Everton of his desire to join DC United when the MLS transfer window opens in July and that now appears to be the case, with Sky Sports claiming that a deal has been agreed in principle. The player's long-time agent Paul Stretford was said to be in the US this week negotiating the finer points of a transfer that appears to have been hatched seven weeks ago when contact with the American club and MLS was first made. He appears to have negotiated a contract that would run until 2020 but sources across The Pond say that nothing has yet been finalised and that the deal is still 50/50 at this stage. Article continues below video content Rooney arrived back at Goodison Park to much fanfare last July after 13 years away from his boyhood club with Manchester United. As part of a historic spending spree, the veteran was expected to be part of Everton's leap forward towards challenging for the top four under Ronald Koeman. The Dutch boss was sacked by October, however, and eventually replaced by Allardyce who was brought in to steady the ship and ensure that the Toffees stayed clear of relegation. The journeyman manager and one-time England head coach successfully fulfilled that remit but poor performances, negative tactics and unadventurous football mean that that supporters skeptical of his appointment in the first place have failed to warm to him. Allardyce has been the subject of terrace chants calling for his departure from Goodison Park and there has been consistent talk in the media that Moshiri is looking to bring in a Continental coach to lead the team going forward. There have also been strong indications — the strongest yet coming from Joyce in this latest report — that PSV Eindhoven's technical director, Marcel Brands, is to come on board to head up recruitment and, perhaps, another clear-out of the squad. Rooney, who has shown visible frustration at having been substituted on a number of occasions recently, not least in the Merseyside derby, is now waiting to see what happens at Everton this summer and wants clarity from whoever is in charge that he will be part of the plans for next season. The Croxteth-born product of Everton's youth system is the Blues' leading scorer this season but has struggled for form since the turn of the year and hasn't found the net in 2018 since dropping into a deeper midfield role. He has been courted by DC United for the past year and could see a move across The Pond as the next step for what could be the final stage of his glittering career. Allardyce has expressed more than once recently that he has "no problem" with Rooney, despite the former United man's frustrated reaction to coming off in the Goodison derby before an hour had elapsed. He told talkSPORT yesterday that he would wish to keep Rooney at Everton and that he would not be one of the outgoing transfers that would be required to trim a bloated senior squad. "I wouldn't consider anything on the cards on the moment," Allardyce said of Rooney. "It would have to be massive for him to want to leave Everton." Reader Comments (234) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Colin Glassar 1 Posted 09/05/2018 at 18:40:32 Wayne is trying to force our useless, clueless boards hand and sack fat Sam. If we get a decent manager he might stay and eventually go into the coaching side.Whatever the outcome Sam and his hefty mates have to go. Dave Evans 2 Posted 09/05/2018 at 18:59:03 I would like to see Rooney here for a year under a new manager.Given the team at present, a fit Rooney still offers more than most. Liam Reilly 3 Posted 09/05/2018 at 19:02:30 Agree Colin,He's often stated that he wants to coach after he retires, so give him a player/coach role under a forward thinking manager. Matthew Williams 4 Posted 09/05/2018 at 19:06:03 Keep hold of him 'till a new manager is selected. We have what we hold. Dermot Byrne 5 Posted 09/05/2018 at 19:06:06 Rooney needs a much quicker thinking team around him to be of any use. He doesn't have same stamina put can pick out a pass - and even one that isn't sideways! Sadly current lot, bar a few, seem a bit short on the quick thinking/anticipation front. Danny Baily 6 Posted 09/05/2018 at 19:11:25 I don't see Wayne being a successful coach. He doesn't seem to have the right temperament. Would be happy to be proved wrong if he came back to lead us to a trophy though! David Chait 7 Posted 09/05/2018 at 19:14:58 I really hope Wayne is hear next year.. I've seen too many messages writing him off. He is a big name, in my opinion the only player worthy of the badge first half the season. Sure he isn't the player he was but with the right manager he can contribute massively and glue our team together..Still a fan Wayne lad. Robin Cannon 8 Posted 09/05/2018 at 19:24:30 He only wants to stay if he's central to our plans next season?In which case we should be showing him the door, with thanks and a fond farewell.If Rooney is central to the plans of the team next season then we're not taking the kind of steps forward we need to be. Jerome Shields 10 Posted 09/05/2018 at 19:52:42 Rooney is looking after his own furture. He realises that next season he will have less pace and any new manager won't pick him to play. . . If Big Sam stays he will stay, a old pro getting more than he is worth and playing time to suit. . He has shown no commitment to achieve the required fitness of a Premier League player, when compared to other Premier League players of the same age. Gareth Barry was 10 times the player that Rooney presently is when he played for Everton. This is another fishing expedition. The Pundit job hasn't materialised, no one showed any interest when he spoke of retiring and the MLS switch is like hard work, as is China. There are no Mug teams like Everton left. The Gravy train is coming to a end. Not for the committed Ronaldo though. You had that level of skill. Pity you didn't have the attitude of Johnny Giles. Joe McMahon 11 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:12:28 David (7) he isn't a big name anymore. Past his best at least 3 years ago. Why do you think so many united fans wanted him out. Too many players past their best at Everton, too much sentimentality. Forget City et al, do you think Rooney, Jaqs, Williams or Baines would get in the Spurs side? Paul Kossoff 12 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:16:11 Get Rooney to take his coaching badges, keep him here, tell him he will be a possible future coach or manager. He would only want the best for Everton. Too many players and managers don't give a toss about the club that pays them. Colin Glassar 13 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:27:38 Maybe Wayne could buy out BPB, and his cronies, and make Moshiri make some sensible football decisions and not trust blindly in the incompetents he has around him. He's got the money to do it. Jimmy Salt 14 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:28:44 And here lies our problem.With Ref to 90% of the comments above, we need to be ruthless.Its no use hanging on to past it players because they scored a good goal against Arsenal 200 years ago and won stuff with the mancs.He was deemed surplus to requirements 2 years ago by United and here we are looking for reasons to keep him.This squad needs an injection of youth and pace.Wayne hasnt looked after himself well enough to compete at the highest level anymore.How old is Ronaldo???? James Flynn 15 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:36:37 Whatever else happens, Thank You Wayne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . for causing news that removed the last 5 day's up- close-up of Sam's face on ToffeeWeb. Jim Bennings 16 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:37:09 The crazy thing is since January we have had three number tens at the club but we haven't played a single one of them in that actual number ten role hardly since the turn of the year! Oscar Huglin 17 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:37:40 @ Joe 11 / Jimmy 14Sentimentality and emotion is exactly what we've missed this season. In addition, Rooney is a fantastic influence, and I honestly think he's been one of our best players in this laughing stock of a season.Once we throw sentimentality out of the window, we become just another QPR. Let's be better than that and build ourselves up while maintaining the values that make us love this club.Dare I say it, follow in the footsteps of Spurs and the other lot.I'd say keeping boyhood blues around as leaders is a very good way of doing just that.And sacking Allardyce, of course. Paul Dewhurst 18 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:40:23 In my opinion he's a stain on the club, I would get rid. He's going nowhere though he has just built a big house in Cheshire we have got one year left of him. Hes not going abroad, he will end up as some club ambassador over at Utd where he's a legend. Kevin Tully 19 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:45:52 He definitely should be offered a coaching role. We don't have enough ex-Evertonians behind the scenes. More Blues in the boardroom as well. More Blues as club ambassadors. They all 'get' Everton, after all. I wish someone would explain that phrase to me, one day. Tommy Carter 20 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:46:50 Rooney as a player is done at Premier League level. Full stop. The next step is for him to either play at a level, like the MLS where he can continue his career for a number of years and earn whatever they are willing to pay him. Another alternative may be to give him the player/manager role at Everton. If this were to be the case, I suspect Rooney would pick himself less and less as he would more appreciate that his selection would be to the detriment of the team. James Flynn 21 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:56:36 Keep him.Best case we get a manager knows how to set his team up to win.Worst case, end of next season Wayne's runs out his contract just like Baines and Jags; first-rate pros whose time has come. Phil Sammon 22 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:59:13 I can't believe so many want him to stay another year. He's the highest payed player at the club and all he does is drill 60 yard balls to the opposition full backs. Bill Kenwright @17You're not fooling anyone. Christy Ring 23 Posted 09/05/2018 at 20:59:29 Wayne is too slow for midfield, his best hope is 30 min's upfront, so I can't see him staying. Minik Hansen 24 Posted 09/05/2018 at 21:11:46 What about Schneiderlin? I rather have Rooney here, when a new manager brings in balance and use Rooney in a balanced team. Paul Ellam 25 Posted 09/05/2018 at 21:11:49 Keep him, sack Allardyce. James Hopper 26 Posted 09/05/2018 at 22:18:42 I was in the camp that never wanted Rooney back in the first place, however since he's here I feel that he does still have something to offer us.We've only seen glimpses of what he is still capable of, such as his hat-trick earlier in the season. He's been a poor player in a poor team and I would hope that in an improved side, we'd seen an improved player even if only for one season. John Hammond 27 Posted 09/05/2018 at 22:19:13 150k a week for a player who should only really be coming on for the last 15/20 mins. He'll be even slower and more knackered come August after a good old summer of booze and fags. Tony Everan 28 Posted 09/05/2018 at 22:22:15 He will get no guarantees of game time if he stays. As a midfielder he is out of position and too slow for the premiership.At best he would be used as an impact sub as a striker if needed. In this role he could bag us some important goals and points.But at 150 000 pw , it's an expensive sub. Keith Monaghan 29 Posted 09/05/2018 at 22:25:59 The worst move we made last summer was to re-sign this unfit has-been for our club. He came back 'cos sloppy BPB wanted him and Rooney knew he wasn't anywhere near good enough to contribute to a top 10 Premier League club.He was past it over 3 seasons ago as most MU fans would have told you then, being unfit, due to his own unprofessional life-style and body abuse, too slow and far too sloppy in his distribution.For our club to move forward he and BPB need to be dumped urgently along with other non-contributing hangers on like Ferguson and Jeffers. I'm all in favour of having ex-EFC players in the backroom staff provided they are top professionals in coaching or whatever their role is.Allardyce was not my choice, but he's a long way from being our biggest problem - Moshiri needs to take a firm hold and make us a more professional and successful organisation rather than the sloppy outfit we've become under Bill K's tenure. Dan Davies 30 Posted 09/05/2018 at 22:40:24 Keith @ 29, I quite like Rooney.However I would love your idea of the manager and coaching structure being totally free of EFC history.Only then would we shake the " jobs for the boys" mentality that is rife throughout the club, which in my opinion is holding the club back both on and off the pitch with youngsters looking up to nigh on a quarter a century of failure.What an example.Moshiri needs a clean sweep starting with the chairman.Saying that I'd keep Duncan. I like Duncan.Also give Big Nev some sort of role at the club. Malcolm Stout 32 Posted 09/05/2018 at 22:42:50 Please, please go. I won't be back till it happens and I hope we're looking at a better season under Arsene!!!!!!!!!!! Gary Mortimer 33 Posted 09/05/2018 at 22:45:10 "he's a stain on the club" @18Words fail me. He's not the player he was, but I'm not sure he deserves that. He is one of the few who gave it all when he was on the pitch and showed a bit of pride in the shirt, unlike one extremely highly paid Frenchman, who has only started putting a shift in for the last couple of games.I'd far sooner move on Schneiderlin, Klassen, Bolasie, Williams, before thinking that Rooney has no role at the club. Brian Williams 34 Posted 09/05/2018 at 22:49:27 Those that just can't wait for him to go. You DO realise his leaving probably points to Allardyce staying! Mike Gaynes 35 Posted 09/05/2018 at 22:57:00 Wayne, come on over, mate -- the USA is waiting with open arms. Skip NY and LA and come up to the Pacific Northwest. We've got great weather and lots of open roads where drink driving isn't too strictly enforced.Oh, and bring a shipping container full of Everton gear when you come. We Yank Toffees have nothing to buy over here. Club marketing has no idea the Western Hemisphere exists. Steve Ferns 36 Posted 09/05/2018 at 23:13:26 No to Yaya Toure. He was past it when we beat city 4-0, 18 months ago. Damian Wilde 37 Posted 09/05/2018 at 23:21:38 Rooney should never have come back, awful buy. People who want him to stay are obviously happy with mid-table. He constantly gives the ball away. If we want to be serious, he and most of the squad need to leave. I so hope he goes. Btw he last scored in December. Anthony Murphy 38 Posted 09/05/2018 at 23:27:25 If we are being offered 12.5 million for a 32 year old with a year left on his contract, it may be too good for us to turn down regardless. We need to recoup some money from last summers flawed spending spree. I'd be happy to see him stay with a new manager who can get the best out of him, but if honest I think I'm looking at it with blue tinted specs. What is true is that he did give it his best shot in a truly awful season, but his days at this level are sadly past him. I reckon if he plays this weekend, he'll be over at the away end saying his goodbyes and that'll be the highlight of a dull end of season encounter Jay Harris 39 Posted 09/05/2018 at 23:36:38 Oscar,"Dare I say it, follow in the footsteps of Spurs and the other lot."Just remind us which old crocks who were past it did either of those two keep.That is the difference between sentimentality and success.Rooney should never have been brought back.If he wasnt good enough for Utd after giving them his best years he certainly should not have been allowed to come back to us and while we're at it can Mosh please pension Bill off so that he cant interfere with the running of the club anymore. Andy Crooks 40 Posted 09/05/2018 at 23:40:13 Dan, why would you keep Duncan? It seems to me that he has been the common denominator in an era of shite. He bled the club as a player and now he does it as a " coach". If flexing his right arm and placing his left hand on his right bicep makes him a " legend", then it puts Dean, Labone, Ball and so many others to shame.Get this scrounger out of our club even before Allardyce. It is a terrible indictment of our recent history that this parasite is a legend in the eyes of some. Lev Vellene 41 Posted 10/05/2018 at 00:10:48 Even if Rooney's legs are gone, he ought to be an asset! But he's giving the ball away so much that I despair!I try to see the positive spin, that he instinctively plays the ball where he expects a team mate of yore to actually show up.We suck, so in the end I just despair, anyway... Andrew James 42 Posted 10/05/2018 at 00:12:21 Jay - remind me of the success Spurs have? Lot of noise and no trophies for 3 seasons. In 5 years nobody will remember that decent side they had that kept on finishing 3rd and losing FA Cup semi finals. Just saying like... David Barks 43 Posted 10/05/2018 at 00:34:19 Andrew,Yes they will. All those Spurs supporters will remember being in the Champions league year after year, facing the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus. And more importantly, they're still building and will have the chance to compete in that competition yet again next season. Reaching and then maintaining a higher level is a form of success. Michael Penley 44 Posted 10/05/2018 at 00:39:46 Mike Gaynes -Something tells me Wayne would prefer the aging fake tanned breast-implanted women of LA to the more natural specimen of bird in your neck of the woods. Mike Gaynes 45 Posted 10/05/2018 at 04:12:41 Michael, he'd be divorced in a week. LA is made up of eight million paparazzi with cell phone video. Steven Sturm 46 Posted 10/05/2018 at 04:28:20 You've been to LA Michael? I grew up there. Trust me, no need for fake tans. Agree with Mike though. He'd be better off up North. Seattle Sounders have some great fans, and Wayne wouldn't look like a lobster from too much sun. Pete Clarke 47 Posted 10/05/2018 at 05:59:19 He was done as a top player 5 years ago and he has not looked after himself well enough to be playing top level football. I imagine Agent Stretford is pushing for a move to line both of their pockets before Wayne's body caves in altogether. The moment he kissed that Man Utd badge at Goodison, he lost his right to be a true blue so for me the quicker him and Allardyce leave then the better the club will be. Christopher Timmins 48 Posted 10/05/2018 at 06:49:16 I am in the leave camp, he was obviously a Kenwright purchase who had been off the pace for years, his legs are gone and against the Top Six teams he is getting the runaround. Cindy Cole 49 Posted 10/05/2018 at 07:30:50 Rooney's recruitment is one of a consecution of mistakes the club has made which began with the appointment of Koeman.Of late, the demise which convinced United to offload him has taken on a new momentum. He looks like a boat without a rudder laden with a heavy cargo of meat pies. It's time that boat was pushed out to sea. Ed Fitzgerald 50 Posted 10/05/2018 at 08:21:14 If he can force the exit of Allardyce then it will be the most productive thing he has done all season. However I don't think he should stay. Allardyce- out Walsh - out Allardyce's cronies - out Rooney - out Ferguson - out And quite a few other players tooThe supposed (impending?) appointment of Brands is the key issue to all other recruitment. I don't care who we get as manager as long as they are prepared to play attacking football. Eddie Howe, Silva, Arteta, Vieira, I would give any of them my backing as I have done with every Everton manager bar one - Allardyce and the reason for that is we knew what we would getting from the moment we appointed him. I railed against his potential appointment on here as did others and quite a few posters shouted us down on various threads. As far as I am concerned his reign has been characterised by sterile, dreadful football, contempt for an incredibly knowledgeable and loyal fan base and ruthless self promotion. He is loathsome on every level.I suspect we will find out more after the West Ham game. If FS stays then regardless of renewing my season ticket - I won't be going next season until he goes. For all our travails of the 1990's it has honestly been the worst season I have experienced watching Everton since attending my first game in 1968. It simply doesn't even feel like Everton anymore - it's like zombies watching ghosts in Blue shirts John McGimpsey 51 Posted 10/05/2018 at 08:23:12 Terrible comments – just like when our other top scorer (Lukaku) was going. His goals dried up as he was pushed further due to shite on the pitch and retarded managers.Andy Crooks's post is 100% spot-on but some will be upset over the comment. If Wayne really does want out then to me he probably knows Gravy Tits is staying.If he stays and is still top scorer next season, then all the names are noted for the backlash. Stewart Lowe 52 Posted 10/05/2018 at 09:11:16 Wayne can look poor in this disjointed and in balanced team of very poor quality. If we can get a manager of sound technical ability, that can form a well balanced attacking team, we will again see the very best of Rooney. Alex Ferguson did once say that Wayne doesn't have a premier league physique and and the need to watch his weight and diet were crucial to getting the best out of him. Gareth Barry was also a heavy set chunky player, but his football brain allowed him to play many years longer than his legs and weight would suggest. I certainly don't believe Rooney is leaving us, I just think the media have gone with this as it compliments the Allardyce uncertainty beautifully. I think Wayne will stay no matter who the manager is next season, as he has made that commitment to Everton being his final club.We obviously want an attacking minded manager at Everton, and Wayne at the centre of that could be crucial. If we do get the attacking manager, Wayne might flourish playing in the middle of the park with a player in the mould of a David Silva, exchanging passes between the lines and threading diagonal balls to our wingers, as I would hope we have pacy wingers on both sides. Just before Rooney was sold to man Utd all those years ago, I bought an authentic photo of him scoring that goal against Arsenal. It was hand signed with a letter of authenticity, then two weeks later he was gone. I was devastated. Twice I tried to sell that photo at a car boot sale for £5, but there were no takers both times. Then I heard last year that he was coming back to us, so I got it out of the cupboard and dusted it off. It's now framed and hung on my wall, and I wouldn't sell it now. It takes pride if place in the living room.Wayne might have left us to try and win trophies, and had he stayed at Everton, he might not have won a thing? So you can't blame him for that, and I bet Shearer at times wishes he had done the same. You can't hang loyalty on you wall and you can't place loyalty in a trophy cabinet. You only get a short career in football and you have to make the most of it, and Wayne did exactly that. So I know Wayne will be here to stay, and all this talk of USA and China is just headline filling rubbish that is being fed to us because of all our current uncertainty. David McMullen 53 Posted 10/05/2018 at 09:58:03 The conjecture seems to favour a Rooney exit while I was glad to see him back the last six months he's not only had little impact like he did in the first part of the season but he's been detrimental with so many passes going astray, just part of the problems this season on the pitch. Saying he's not the player he was couldn't be truer. Whether he wants to stay as a bit part player depends on the new manager as well. Eugene Kearney 54 Posted 10/05/2018 at 10:25:45 I hope that he is trying to force a sack-Allardyce move from the board, and, with a new, astute and modern-thinking manager in place, alongside Mr Brands, he should have another decent season (maybe two) left in him. He hasn't scored since Allardyce was handed the reins.He is a very intelligent footballer (who can have off-days like anyone else) who commands respect . He is an Evertonian who wants to see the club move forward (as it should have done these past 10 months) as much as anyone. He still has some good football left in him to offer us in that respect. James Hill 55 Posted 10/05/2018 at 10:28:36 Wow ToffeeWebers have now hit an all time low in hypocrisy. Amazing Evertonians have become the biggest joke on earth. Quite incredible the critisim of Rooney all year and the comments on here are beyond belief. What shit supporters. No wonder the rs are taking the piss. Ken Williams 56 Posted 10/05/2018 at 10:38:01 why would we want to keep a united badge kisser that is not worth £160,000 a week. We need to move past sentimentality if we are to have any hope of moving into the top six. Eugene Kearney 57 Posted 10/05/2018 at 10:42:26 James #55 - I never criticised the Rooney-to-Everton move. I do not condone sacking people, but Allardyce has £6M from Everton whatever happens.I don't think Everton supporters are "shit supporters". There is an awful lot of whinging that goes on on social media, but EFC supporters are hungry for success (that shouldn't have been allowed to slip away so easily a quarter of a century ago) - and movement towards new success, however small, was supposed to be happening this current season. Tommy Carter 58 Posted 10/05/2018 at 10:43:17 @29 Keith - Great point. The hangers on should go. We have filled our back room staff with a lot of underachieving ex players. Other clubs use their own, but usually successful players. I can't believe that there is not a better coach than Ferguson out there. Jose Baxter - it's a disgrace that he is even still associated to this club. What is he being paid for? Paul Dewhurst 59 Posted 10/05/2018 at 10:44:11 Gary 33 When he left Moyes had to sue him for false claims in 1st autobiogrophy.Sold his story to The Sun Back at the club a couple of months found cheating on pregnant wife He has come back to us because he didnt want to leave the North West, he should pay us to play! Michael Lynch 60 Posted 10/05/2018 at 10:54:47 If we want to overhaul Spurs as a top four club, we need to have a squad as strong, fit, young and talented as theirs. Would Rooney get a game for Spurs? Would he bollocks. It's great that he's had the chance to spend one last year at his boyhood club, but he should go to the States and enjoy a bit less pressure for a final season in the game. Oh, and take Boys Pen Bill with you Wayne. He's another who's served the club well but needs to step aside.I also doubt if Wayne has the temperament or skills to go into management. We've already got Big Dunc on the bench looking a bit confused, we don't need another old boy there. Lawrence Green 61 Posted 10/05/2018 at 11:01:21 James #55 and on other threads. If I only have a choice of one cafe and the food on offer is below an acceptable standard or the service is not what it should be, should I a) Be thankful that I have a cafe to eat in?b) Happily accept my lot and tip the staff handsomely? Evertonians just like any other customers are entitled to complain, castigate or raise their concerns about the product on offer, if the highly paid players can't handle that, they should go somewhere else where their lack of talent, commitment or idleness is appreciated. If the RS fans are having a laugh at our expense so what? that has been the case for far too many years, besides which, how do they tend to react when things aren't going well for an individual player, manager or indeed their team? Only an Evertonian would blame his fellow fans for this car-crash of a season, when so many others are at fault for the clubs struggles on the pitch. It would also be worthwhile remembering that for the last eighteen years or more the fans have stuck with the club, hoping to see an improvement in style and results, but for the last five years the club has gone backwards, blame the fans if you wish to, but I believe you're completely missing the real reason(s) why we aren't very good on the pitch. As for Rooney, he will do what he's always done, look after himself first and the club he plays for secondly, nothing wrong with that as far as I'm concerned, if he chooses to stay at Goodison and the club want him, he'll be treated like any other player, produce the goods and we'll support him, become a liablilty to the team, we'll get on his back - that's a pretty normal reaction from most fans isn't it? Or have I missed something along the way? David Booth 62 Posted 10/05/2018 at 11:27:21 I think a very important distinction needs to be made here with regards to Rooney and many repeatedly calling him an 'intelligent' footballer.I would suggest a better word to describe him would be 'instinctive'.An eye for goal, a burst of pace, a shot into the top corner.A thinking man he is not and that is why he is so out of his depth and a constant liability in midfield (any part of it).He is not a holder of the ball, a pass picker or game dictator. Never was and now, at his age, never will be.A team-clogging waste of space that has a tearful Kenwright's stamp all over it.He needs to be put out to pasture somewhere where his mere presence on the pitch is all that is required to fulfil his/his team's objectives.If we are going anywhere, he has no place here. Martin Nicholls 63 Posted 10/05/2018 at 12:01:53 Can any of those advocating a coaching/managerial role for Rooney explain exactly what attributes you've identified in him that would make him a success? He has not looked after himself as a professional sportsman should, neither has he shown himself to be any sort of role model. Sam Hoare 64 Posted 10/05/2018 at 12:06:01 I think David has a point and Wayne's 'inteligence' and passing abilitly are somewhat overstated.I do think he has a vision that not many of our team can match and he can hit a long pass better than many of our midfielders but he is no Pirlo. The stats bear this out:He has only 2 assists all season, despite taking a fair share of free kicks and sometime corners.He makes 1.1 key passes per game which while decent for us would is not in the top 50 within the league.He is disposessed almost twice per game which is almost two times more than any other Everton player (bar Bolasie!)He makes about as many successfull dribbles as Michael Keane and Schneiderlin.Basically he is not offering as much as a player who is in the team to create should be. The goals have been a massive bonus and for that alone i'd be happy to keep him as a squad player, though for that type of wedge we should really have someone who is starting each week and one of our most influential players. Rooney is no longer that. Steve Brown 65 Posted 10/05/2018 at 12:17:56 Rooney has contributed more points to the team than anyone else, he is the only one always looks for a forward pass and he has a winner's attitude. We'd be seven points worse off without him. He began to fade when Lardiola took over, which can't surprise anyone. If he is a 'team-clogging waste of space', then what the hell are the rest of the squad? He won 5 PL titles, 4 domestic cups, the Champions League, the Europa League and the FIFA World Club. Fergie said he would be a great player in any era. But apparently he is 'out of his depth and a constant liability'. I am all for fans being entitled to their opinions, but James @ 55 equally has to right to counter when he feels they are talking utter shite. Jay Wood[BRZ] 66 Posted 10/05/2018 at 12:18:56 James Hill @ 55. Allow me to quote in full your post:"Wow ToffeeWebers have now hit an all time low in hypocrisy. Amazing Evertonians have become the biggest joke on earth. Quite incredible the critisim [sic] of Rooney all year and the comments on here are beyond belief. What shit supporters. No wonder the rs are taking the piss."To that from the thread about Kevin Campbell's thoughts on Sam Allardyce there is also your contribution @ 37 and 38 (a post you considered so insightful and profound, you thought it was worth repeating twice):"We are a club in crisis because our supporters are so second rate."How can I say this...? How about...GET THE FECK! Steve Brown 67 Posted 10/05/2018 at 12:34:17 If we want to use stats, let's do a proper comparison for this season:Sigurdsson 5 goals, 5 assists, 1.5 key passes per game, 0.7 dribbles per game and 1.5 shots per game Rooney 11 goals, 2 assists, 1.1 key passes per game, 0.3 dribbles per game and 1.6 shots per game. Schneiderlin 0 goals, 0 assists, 0.3 key passes per game, 0.3 dribbles per game and 0.2 shots per game.Yet Siggy is a big loss to the team, Schneiderlin has recaptured his form and Rooney is crap. Sam Hoare 68 Posted 10/05/2018 at 12:57:08 Steve, the reality is that none of those players has been great this season. Schneiderlin has obviously been woeful for most of the year and most people want rid of him so not sure why you're using him as a comparison.Sigurdsson has not been fantastic but has notably more assists, key passes and dribbles than Rooney. He's also better defensively... so yes, I'd say that he's more of a loss to the team than Rooney. Obviously, the goals go in Wayne's favour and is one reason I'd be content to keep him on the bench. David Barks 69 Posted 10/05/2018 at 13:10:31 Would Rooney have more goals than Sigurdsson if he didn't get to take all those penalties? He got six of them, scoring 3 and missing 3, although he was able to put in the rebound in at least one of those misses I can remember. Len Hawkins 70 Posted 10/05/2018 at 13:17:41 Email any top sportsman, manager, or coach and ask: "What does sentimentality win you?" I bet any money the biggest reply would be "Fuck all!" which is exactly what we have won under Tiny Tears. Why go to the expense of putting an irrigation system under the pitch when Kenwright could have stood in the middle and read all the books ex-players have written — the grass would be knee high in no time. Tommy Carter 71 Posted 10/05/2018 at 13:20:09 @ 63 MartinHis strongest credential is that he's not Sam Allardyce Alan Moss 72 Posted 10/05/2018 at 13:20:29 Sky Sports News are now reporting that Rooney is off to DC. Robin Cannon 73 Posted 10/05/2018 at 13:24:36 @Steve (65) - "We'd be seven points worse off without him."...would we? That calculation is only based on how we'd have done if he hadn't been in the team, and had no replacement.Would we have been seven points worse off if we'd not been beholden to trying to fit Rooney into the team all the time? If we'd not been overcrowded with #10s? If we hadn't forced our record signing out to the left wing in order to accommodate Rooney? Matt Butlin 74 Posted 10/05/2018 at 13:28:23 Looks like he's gone... Dave Pritchard 75 Posted 10/05/2018 at 13:31:17 I'd be happy to see Rooney go, especially for a fee like 12 million, as it would give us the chancce to play Gylfi in his natural position for a whole season, form and injuries permitting. Stephen Davies 76 Posted 10/05/2018 at 13:40:08 MattYes looks that way.. £12m fee agreed David Barks 77 Posted 10/05/2018 at 13:40:22 So that's one player gone. Matt Butlin 79 Posted 10/05/2018 at 13:49:00 I guess this could show a move away from the sentimental approach we have at the club? £150k a week freed up and £12million for a player we didn't pay anything for. Unless it was factored into the Lukaku deal... Phil Walling 80 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:10:16 Sam has made an impressive start towards clearing the decks by manipulating Rooney's departure.It may well be worth keeping the Big Man on to clear the decks for a future managerial appointment ! Mike Rothwell 81 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:16:35 So have the club actually given him permission to speak to other suitors?If not will he become the only player to have left Everton after being tapped up twice?I still recall the Proactive Sports RNS stock exchange announcement of the original transfer to Manure with disgust... announcing that they had represented the player and Manure thus taking two chunks of the cash in clear breach of the transfer rules..Eitherway get rid and take Lardiola with you.. Jon Withey 82 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:16:39 Fans are always looking to the future, but in terms of actual contribution to this season gone, he has been one of our best players.We do have Gylfi however, and even Klaasen could play a similar position.The squad needs to be trimmed to bring in first team quality.Do the MLS want Mirallas too ? Danny Baily 83 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:17:41 A good move for the club and player.His standout goal against West Ham will be relived for years to come. Let's continue clearing the decks. Bolasie, Schniderlein, Mirallas, McCarthy (sadly) and Williams. Sam Hoare 84 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:20:35 We've done well if we've got £12m for him. Any love for Williams, Schneiderlin or Mirallas in the MLS? Kunal Desai 85 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:23:38 Cheerio Wayne, how about taking Bill with you as well. Paul Birmingham 87 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:41:33 Depends on these rumours. 㾸M if true is a good price, but compared many other first-team players, at least Wayne has football brain, and knows where the goal is. He hasn't got the engine for barely 60 mins, but as an impact player and for helping keep what ever squad we have, the next few months, in check in the training ground etc, then I'd keep him. Unless there's some great coup being planned by our leaders to get someone else.No, I think, so and the clubs in a right mess, and we knew he couldn't rekindle his best days when we signed him, but he's better than most we have, in terms of football guile, in my view.Big issues for EFC to resolve these coming weeks. Dan Nulty 88 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:43:24 Personally am gutted about this. Eleven goals in a terrible side. I wonder how many he'd have scored in a good one.Plus the impact on the academy kids coming through and training with him can't be under estimated. My dread is he is going because he knows Sam is staying. Steuart Hayes 89 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:46:50 I read that we will need to pay 㿞k a week in his wages and DC United are still paying 㾶 mill a year so next year 3 teams will be paying his wages. So I can't see us getting 㾸mill for him. I hope we do but I can't see... it being that I think that's the contact amount – not the purchase price Anthony Hawkins 90 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:46:56 Rooney leaving is positive for the club and will allow cohesion between the team. I've always seen him as a wedge between the players who are the future and himself trying to force himself into the team. David Barks 91 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:46:58 Dan,He would have scored less because he wouldn't be on the pitch. There is evidence to support that, just look at the prior season at United. Steve Brown 92 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:47:03 Robin @ 73, it's data that's why it is used as a basis of statistical reporting.If Williams and Keane could defend, if Schneiderlin could give shit, if Bolasie could cross, if Sigurdsson wasn't crap early on, if Klaassen could handle physicality, if Calvert-Lewin could control a ball, if we had a forward, if you had a brain. The scenarios are endless.So best sticks to facts. I will be gutted if he leaves but don't blame him. John Pierce 93 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:50:21 Sure Rooney's fitness was the main issue. But his output has collapsed since Allardyce's arrival. Coincidence, I think not. Again a instinctively attacking player has been shackled by arcane tactics. Rooney has barely had a shot in game in months. Why? Whilst I won't dispute Rooney's presence in the team has other knock issues his output has been destroyed by Allardyce. Jamie Crowley 94 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:50:41 Dan I thought the same dreaded thing!He's leaving because he's heard Sam is staying. Please God, no. Steve Brown 95 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:51:00 Sam @ 68, I don't disagree. They have all been poor in a terrible side with a shocking manager. The point I was making was why all the bile towards Rooney? He has shown effort, commitment and never shirked from trying to be positive. He felt he was joining a progressive, ambitious club and neded up in an absolute farce. David Barks 96 Posted 10/05/2018 at 14:54:09 Steve,And if he wasn't allowed to take 6 penalties? And if he wasn't played in the middle with Gilfy being forced out wide? They tried to trot out that stupid “points won†stat as a way to diminish Lukaku's impact on the the team last season. It was ridiculous last season and is ridiculous now. Josh Barber 97 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:09:12 Considering the fee, I think it's smart business by Everton. I just hope they sack Allardyce and make good deals for several of the players on the roster and bring in young, quality players to replace them. Fran Mitchell 98 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:12:34 He started off pretty decent, but he needs to go for a number of reasons.1 – His presence/wage/name made him almost undroppable, meaning our best and most expensive player was pushed out of position.2 – As a squad or bench player, he takes chances away from players like Dowell, Grant, Vlasic, Lookman. These are who we need to test and develop and build a style of play around.3 – Too slow. The Premier League and the CenL has shown us anything in the last 3 years, to be successful you need pace and directness in the final 3rd. Rooney slows us down.4 – If he is to adapted into a centre mid, his passing is below standard and he lacks discipline. Always a risk for a red card, and we already have players, young and established, to play there.5 – 𧵎k a week can buy better. Mark Dunford 99 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:15:35 Not a great surprise. He made a significant contribution at start of the season and tired as it went on - which may (or may not) have something to do with BS. He plays in the one position where we have lots of options - too many, in fact. Shame about the penalty misses; he should have let Baines take the later ones. It was, however, a great kick at Anfield. Fabulous goal against West Ham. Good luck in USA. Paul Thompson 100 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:17:26 He ain't gone yet. May well still be seeing what the moves are on the managerial front. If he does go, forget this 'fee' stuff. We won't be seeing any or much of it. It will be part of a package to pay his massive wages (which incidentally Man Utd are still paying most of). As for Wayne the player, mixed feelings. Like others, I thought he actually played pretty well in the first half of the season - goals and assists as proof. But he was increasingly awful in the second half. The question is, was that the result of everyone being dragged down by dysfunction and disinterest, or was he especially bad? Jury out I think. At an emotional level, it was great to see Wayne back in a blue shirt and I'm sure he's been a good influence around the club. If he does go, I wish him well. Jack Convery 101 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:18:42 Rooney had better players at Man Utd but still couldn't do it - Jose knew that, which is why he let him go.I wanted him back because I thought coming back would gee him up and we'd get 2 good years from him. Alas its not to be – his goals have definitely helped us gain more points and he still has the big picture in his head when it comes to what's going on around him, However his lack of pace is now killing him as a EPL player and his passing has got worse as the season has gone on. He loves the club and wants it to succeed, hence his annoyance at being substituted vs the RS. However, his lifestyle and his willingness to want to play at every opportunity since his teenage years has finally taken its toll. His performance versus West Ham will live long in the memory but it is time to say goodbye. I wish him well and hope he has learnt his lesson and commits himself to his wife and family. The fact that reports say this was all initiated several weeks ago may mean Ki from Swansea could be on as that story emerged at the same time and he apparently can play with Sigurdsson. The summer will be very interesting and not just because we're all on FS watch — has he been sacked yet? If he's not, god help us all. Michael Lynch 102 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:22:48 The big question is whether the club are capable of replacing him with something better. If we're currently paying half of his 𧷤k a week wages, that could be spent on a top quality central defender and a very good striker about to hit his prime. However, the way this club is at the moment, we'll probably blow it on a 29-year-old who'll do his cruciate in pre-season training and some Dutchman nobody's heard of who will find the pace of the Premier League a bit tricky even though he's training really really well. Jim Wilson 103 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:23:38 Played out of position all season, by hideous management, he still managed to score vital goals, when we were in big trouble, that have kept us up (make no mistake).We have been short of class up front all season but incredibly he has been used in midfield and while showing moments of class has been clearly out of his depth. Only Everton could fail to tap into a world class talent. It's criminal. Paul Olsen 104 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:26:19 On his current wage it's a no-brainer, he needs to go. He's not Our worst player by any means, but he is probably Our best paid Squad member, and that is not on merit. Steavey Buckley 105 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:31:16 The resurgence of Everton with the return of Rooney never took off. In fact, most of Koeman's signings were not a success. So it's no surprise Rooney has decided to have his 'swan song' somewhere else. Yet, it's more important than ever, that Moshiri decides who is going to be Everton's next manager as soon as possible, to be able to bring new players in and let go those whom he doesn't want. Next season would still be complicated with the World Cup whirling all around us, and the transfer window ending early before the first ball is kicked at the beginning of a new season. Steven Sturm 106 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:38:31 Is this a Rooney play to get rid of Allardyce? My preference is to drop Sam, keep Rooney. Play Rooney as impact up front and cash in on the marketing potential to offset the salary. Tony Abrahams 107 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:38:32 Football went mad years ago with regards to transfer fees, but to get £12 million, for a player who is well, well, well past his best, is unbelievable really.To think we sold him when he was only eighteen, and already one of the best players in the world, for just over double that, is just a reminder of why Kenwright must go too? Ian Carrie 108 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:39:00 Practically every news outlet is mentioning Wayne Rooney and Everton Football Club, Mr Rooney is still the biggest name on Everton's payroll and the amount of media exposure he (and his family) command can only be good for the club. Can we justify letting football royalty leave us? Wayne will always be high profile. Will we be without him? Benjamin Dyke 109 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:41:51 The sadness remains that Rooney played his prime years with Man Utd. But this time we need big changes and his departure is not that significant. He did as good as we could have hoped considering how terrible the whole season was but we need fresher legs, guys that can press. Mark Taylor 110 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:43:17 When Rooney came as part of the Lukaku deal, I thought it was reasonable business, with Man Utd paying part of his wages as I understand it, and the very likely chance of moving him on to China for a tidy fee after a year if things didn't work out – as they haven't.I had hoped for a better fee than the one that has been quoted of around 㾸.5m but that is not bad business if you regard him as a free - which I don't think he was, strictly speaking – and of course he still costs us a fair amount in wages, which will free up some cash. Sadly China does not seem to appeal to him quite as much as the US and also it seems the Chinese have begun to wise up and are not so keen to pay vast sums for washed up players.He's has been far from our worst player this year but that is more to do with the one aspect of the club where competition is intense. Nevertheless, he isn't getting better and anything worse than the past couple of seasons is certainly not the answer to our problems. I wish him no ill, he is and always will be a supporter of EFC and I'm quite sure he would have wished for a happier outcome, but we would be better off playing our record transfer in his true position and seeing if that works any better.It's a shame that most of the other deadwood won't be sold for a reasonable profit. It may not have worked but he certainly hasn't been our worst piece of business – the other area in the club where there is intense competition... Tony Abrahams 111 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:47:45 Agree that Rooney, is high profile Ian, but that's more about off the pitch these days. He's a bit like Everton, in a sense, with all his best work having been done in the past, but I don't really care that much about individuals with regards to Everton, because it's a team game, and only when we get a really good one, will most of us enjoy watching our team once again? Michael Lynch 112 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:50:53 On a side-note, I hope he's the first of many to be sold on by the club in the next few months. I can only think of a handful I would keep for next season. I can't see the point of swapping managers for a fifth time in five years unless we also swap squads. Jamie Crowley 113 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:55:08 Just heard on satellite radio that Everton will still pay part of his wages. You gotta be kidding me?! Sean Patton 114 Posted 10/05/2018 at 15:58:30 A year too late. I wish he had never returned; still, at least we get good money for him... he had the odd moment of glory. James Hughes 115 Posted 10/05/2018 at 16:01:21 Mixed emotions on this. He came back because he wanted to be involved with us and cares about Everton. On the other hand, it was a gesture to a player who was on the decline and maybe we should have said no. He has not set the world alight this season but who has. We have seen more effort from Wayne this season than sideways-lin has shown. I wish him well in the US of A. I am sure Mike Gaynes can give him a few pointers. John Harrop 116 Posted 10/05/2018 at 16:04:37 I think this is best for all concerned if it goes through. His powers were already in sharp decline during his final season with Man Utd. If he wanted a successful return to his boyhood team, then he should have made the move several years earlier. All things considered, it was never likely to work out, unfortunately. Pete Clarke 117 Posted 10/05/2018 at 16:10:41 I am not sure he even enjoys playing footy anymore and think he is trying to keep up with his expensive lifestyle because he didn't put any money away for the rainy day. The yanks know how to make a burger so Wayne will be at home there... Matthew Williams 118 Posted 10/05/2018 at 16:12:01 As another poster has mentioned... could this mean Fat Sam is staying?Lord help us poor Blues. Steve Lowther 119 Posted 10/05/2018 at 16:13:15 Wayne isn't good enough to play for EFC anymore, unfortunately, whoever the manager is. He must be close to breaking the Premier League record this season (along with Tom Davies) for the amount times he's been caught in possession, given the ball away & mis-directed passes. Good luck in Trumpsville! Andy Crooks 120 Posted 10/05/2018 at 16:26:59 Wayne Rooney is one if the best Everton players I have ever seen. I think he did fine for us this season. He tried and he cares. Good luck to him. Sam Hoare 121 Posted 10/05/2018 at 16:36:35 Steve @95, He certainly won't get any bile from me. I think he's certainly tried hard for us this year and has done well at times. I was never convinced that bringing him back was a good idea and I think a departure now is best for all parties. Tony Everan 122 Posted 10/05/2018 at 16:38:51 㾸M is a good deal but, if it is linked to us paying part of his wages still, maybe it is an offset figure to give us more l past it for a Premier League midfielder but he cares and tried his best for us.He will be back as a coach in a couple of years. Nathan Ford 123 Posted 10/05/2018 at 16:41:40 Makes financial sense for the club to sell. 㾸 million for a 32-year-old past his peak and on 𧵎k a week (٥.8M a year). Club should do what's best for the club; in a few years, he could come back in a coaching capacity. Guy Hastings 124 Posted 10/05/2018 at 16:53:59 Dan 88 - my thoughts exactly. I might join him. Kevin Moorcroft 125 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:04:01 We always sell our best for financial reward anyway. It ain't going to change in the future.I was done with it when Bally went to Arsenal and, of course, Lukaku went to Man Utd. Pure greed and no thoughts about football...That's about it as regards Everton. Mads Kamp 126 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:19:36 Great news last couple of days! Rooney departing paves the way for Gylfi to take ownership of the no 10 role.Brands is almost there, Walsh as head of scouting!Get Silva onboard and things are really starting to brighten. COYB Paul Kossoff 127 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:20:10 Money Wayne? Surely you and your wife have enough by now.Man Utd deal to pay half your wage is up? You still need £300,000 a bloody week to live on? Your beloved Everton can't, won't pay you that and that's why you are off isn't it? Here's me thinking you would be a future coach or manager and that's why you came back. But it's still the money isn't it Wayne, pure and simple bloody greed, nothing else. Bet you come up with the old new challenge reason for leaving. Well here is one boyhood blue that won't be wishing you luck and all the best, I think you have had more than your share of that! David Barks 128 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:23:00 Get over yourself Paul. What a ridiculous post. Steven Jones 129 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:26:07 Agree with the sentiment of James @55Example is Andy Crooks @40 - Using a Rooney news story to attack Duncan. Disgraceful comments.Martinez, Keoman and SA have had Duncan as a key part of their successive coaching staff. He has EFC running through his blood and is by all reports a very talented coach. Not sure your data points but terrible disrespectful assault lacking any class. We all know you would not say it to the legend's face.We Everton fans used to have a good reputation around the country as fair and total class. The behaviour of bigoted keyboard warriors, who would not say things to peoples faces calling our players, management all kinds, is disgraceful and is puling our great club down. I am hearing words like deluded, entitled, disrespectful, ungrateful being used now from around the country. Imagine what other supporters of other clubs would think if they saw this kind of bigoted bile against almost everyone associated with the club. Wonder what bile would come out if ToffeeWeb run a story on an EFC tea lady retiring because she had become upset at all the comments .BTW I would keep our top scorer and points getter this year - lets add more goals and more winning mentality not ship it out. Without Rooney we would be close to relegation this year. I loved his hatrick and his penalty at the tin mine. Alan McGuffog 130 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:31:34 Wayne isn't good enough to play for Everton anymore ? Christ on a bike I'm good enough to play for Everton and with my pension due in a week or two I wouldn't want paying Jay Harris 131 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:38:40 Wayne's main attribute was his superb technical ability. He still has that but through years of abuse his body is no longer up to a season of the Premier league.He has no proven leadership or counselling skills.He is not a good role model and I certainly wouldnt want him coaching the kids.His agent is a snake oil salesman and yet he is still retained by Wayne even though he should know better now at his age.I never wanted him back after he gave his best years to Utd and they no longer wanted such a huge drain on the wage bill.I actually think he is going because Moshiri has seen enough of the "Kenwright" factor which has seen him control successive managers and squads.I think and hope we will see a big clearout at the top. Ian Burns 132 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:39:35 Great player. I thought we could make hay for two years when he signed, not worked out that way. However, it must also be said he has played under two of the worst managers seen at this club. He was used to joined up football before he came here under Koeman then Allardyce.Unlike some others, I wish him well. John Dean 133 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:53:39 After Wayne signed, we went to East Africa pre-season and the only paparazi picture in town was one of Wayne doing absolutely anything. He gave us a bigger worldwide base and that probably has done as much for our financial future and global footprint as his sale to ManU did for our top tier survival. Wayne owes us nothing and I wish nothing but the best for him. Terry Farrell 134 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:53:56 Have enjoyed some of Wayne's performances and his talent on the ball, but it is hard to find a specific place for him in an unbalanced line up. Years ago he would have been the difference in most games but although willing his body can't do it. Who ever thought Wayne and Siggy could play together against top 6 were completely mistaken. Wayne hasn't got time to wait for us to get our act together no matter who the new manager is. I wish him all the best and think usa is a good move for him. Ian Burns 135 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:56:18 It has only just dawned on me that DC United is in Washington. Our Wayne and Donald Trump resident in the same city! The mind boggles! William Gall 136 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:57:42 Pete #117 W.Rooney is supposed to have a net worth of 82 mill. so I am sure he has enough for a rainy day and I don't believe it is for the money he wants to move. He may realize that he is not quick enough for the premiership and does not want to drop to a lower league but wants to try something different. Frank Sheppard 137 Posted 10/05/2018 at 17:58:25 If he goes, then Best Wishes to him. If he stays I am sure he will play a significant part. Let's not forget he is the only player in double figures this season !!! John Pierce 138 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:00:46 There are a bunch of players that need to leave, there some who are good enough. There's also a group who I'd like to see under a different manager. Rooney is one such. The US will come calling soon enough, I wouldn't begrudge Rooney one more year in blue under a attack minded manager where, yes despite an ageing frame, he could have more to offer the team.However, personally, I do not like seeing any decisions or deals done in ‘principle' or otherwise until a new manager comes in. Just another sign the club is floundering at the top level. Dermot Byrne 139 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:04:15 Frank #137: he would play a significant part in our downfall I'm afraid. Sportspeople hanging on is a sad spectacle and even sadder if at a club hanging on too. Mike Gwyer 140 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:08:41 Benjamin Dyke #109"The sadness remains that Rooney played his prime years with Man Utd."Maybe true but who really give a fuck. Rooney is a blue, always was a blue and always will be a blue; and those Manx twats know it. Steve Brown 141 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:08:54 David @ 96, don't like that stat? Try these ones I shared in an earlier post:Sigurdsson 5 goals, 5 assists, 1.5 key passes per game, 0.7 dribbles per game and 1.5 shots per gameRooney 11 goals, 2 assists, 1.1 key passes per game, 0.3 dribbles per game and 1.6 shots per game.Schneiderlin 0 goals, 0 assists, 0.3 key passes per game, 0.3 dribbles per game and 0.2 shots per game.I could have gone through all the midfield and my guess would be that Rooney's stats would match or better most. You never liked Rooney coming back and made that clear, so there is no reasoning with you. David Barks 142 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:14:35 Steve,Yes, saw that. And I pointed out that had Gilfy been allowed to take penalties instead of the 6 Rooney took, missing 3 but capitalizing on the rebound once or twice, that the stats would be flipped. The only stat that Rooney had above Gilfy was the goals, and that was down to him taking the penalty kicks. As for my thoughts on Rooney coming back, I wanted us to be signing players with their best years ahead of them or in their prime. Rooney was neither of those, couldn't get in the United team. Sentimentality got in the way of proper footballing decisions. Dermot Byrne 143 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:17:19 Mike Gwyer #140: totally agree and he reflects the state of the club at present superbly. Dermot Byrne 144 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:21:27 David Barks, I think Steve just gave evidence for your argument that overall Siggs was better a point I agree with. Do Sam and Rooney have same marketing agencies or just mates in lazy lazy media? James Power 145 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:28:34 So got sidetracked around #50 so forgive me if off topic but also a long lunch into this...Wayne won't be better with a better manager and players, he had lost it at Man U with a couple of decades better year on year investment than us. He WONT get better, such is he level of scrutiny now that he will have had to deliberately kept hidden what can be seen otherwise. Sadly, but not surprisingly, he is done. No bad thing, probably his own doing but he is done. Good luck, arrivederci x James Power 146 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:28:34 So got sidetracked around #50 so forgive me if off topic but also a long lunch into this...Wayne won't be better with a better manager and players, he had lost it at Man U with a couple of decades better year on year investment than us. He WONT get better, such is he level of scrutiny now that he will have had to deliberately kept hidden what can be seen otherwise. Sadly, but not surprisingly, he is done. No bad thing, probably his own doing but he is done. Good luck, arrivederci x Jason Broome 147 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:30:05 Stoke have a lot of good memories, and I dare say sentimentality. They also have a lot of Championship football next season. At 12 Million Rooney needs to go. I was an advocate of him returning to the club last year. But now I want him to leave. If we want to progress next season we need to be both honest and ruthless.Wayne Rooney is no longer in the top batch of strikers on earth. He is on the decline.He will never be able to replace Lukaku's goals ratio per season. He is no longer the future of the club.He would struggle to break into any of the top 5 teams.Nil Satis Nisi Optimum should stand for something and Wayne Rooney ain't it. Everton like United should be a forward moving bus. Thank you for your time Wayne. The best thing you can do for Everton is make way for the next big thing. As for sentimental feelings... Baines, Coleman, Jagielka, Davies, etc will suffice. Brent Stephens 148 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:33:24 Paul #127 "But it's still the money isn't it Wayne, pure and simple bloody greed, nothing else".How do you know? Equally plausible is that he might realise that he won't be getting regular playing time and still wants that. Matthew Williams 149 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:37:54 Remember Sigurdsson at Spurs? ...the same will happen here folks.He's the perfect example of a big fish in a small pond... will always look good surrounded by the tiddlers.Wouldn't surprise me to see him back at Swansea soon enough. Barry Thompson 150 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:44:53 Mike G - 'and those Manx twats know it'.Christ Mike, what have the good citizens of the Isle of Man got to do with it. Jer Kiernan 151 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:45:45 Didnt want him here, and glad he is going, Let that be a lesson to any fat money grabber who turns his back on the Club that basically made him the first sniff( and it was the first sniff ) of money waved at himThe fact he could leave to pursue a successful career with a Club that are "supposed" to be our rivals and was able to return when he was washed up and walk into our team says more about our Clubs sad state than anything elseA soppy teary eyed transfer saga that had all the stink of Kenwright and his backward thinking fantasist mentallity all over it, Hope Bill will fuck off to the sun tooAnd he has been one of our better players this year, Both Shocking and depressing, The fat dud has used this once great Club twice now, ,hope this is the last of him, ,Spare me him and BK and their "love"for the club and lets have some ruthless operators running the club ala Alex Ferguson ( I doubt the guy knows what sentiment is) and his trophy cabinet shows it Good ridance and I still say I can fit in my Everton Jersey better than him and thats saying something I can assure Dermot Byrne 152 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:49:00 Marine would give him the playing time Brent. Tranmere? Southport?Maybe it is the chance he needs to start the new career as chat show host or actor in US whilst still getting the playing time he wants.Maybe he and family love the USA plain and simple but he needs to be working to move there. Just like me with Goa.Or Steven Jones 153 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:52:25 Mike 140 Love It!Lets get behind current, past and present blues no matter what role or how they perform . as long as they really do shed blood for our club . Brent Stephens 154 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:52:39 Dermot - ah, the attractions of Marine, Tranmere, Southport! Spoilt for choice! Mike Gaynes 155 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:52:44 Ian #135, trump doesn't really spend all that much time there. Mike Corcoran 156 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:56:28 Good luck to him whatever. Jeez, you'd think he been as bad as Gazza, Ginola, or Jeffers mk2 or many more Dave Elliott 157 Posted 10/05/2018 at 18:59:04 Is it not Wayne hedging his bets if big fat Sam still here he'll be off in a flash. He is after all a true supporter not just a player he can't be happy with the way the team is performing under the ego that is Sam Pat Kelly 158 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:02:18 He's a millstone round the Club's neck. Get rid asap. And as for giving him a role as a coach, he spent his career at Utd and they didn't want him. Darren Hind 159 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:02:52 Scored eight goals before Sam got here and was heading comfortably into double figures before we reached the half way point . . scored just 2 in his subsequent 24 matches for Sam and one of them was from the spot.Allardyce at his most detructive Dermot Byrne 160 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:19:03 I know Brent. It was a badly constructed argument with the foundation of a slurp too many on way home. Off Friday. Sober tomorrow but cannot promise much better! Mark Taylor 161 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:21:01 On the Siggy v Rooney comparison, although I believe we massively overpaid for the former, to be fair to him you can't take his stats as serious data when he has barely been played in his correct position. He is not a left winger which is where he spent much of the season.One positive thought from reading some of the posts above. If Rooney was a Kenwright idea and the former is on the way out, then maybe Mosh has finally spotted that teary Bill is not fulfilling a productive role and should be sent packing so some more professional people can be brought on board. Maybe his deep pocketed mate Usamov, assuming HM government haven't arrested him yet, which might also indicate the appearance in some capacity of a certain A Wenger. Anthony Murphy 162 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:23:13 Personally think he has had a better season than most (including media) are giving him credit for. There have been times this season when he has given his all when some of his teammates haven't showed up. Just hope his leaving isn't because he's been told Sam is staying. Losing a decent (admittedly past his best) player and keeping Sam in charge does not make a good news day if you ask me. Philip Bunting 163 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:24:32 Wonder would a swap deal interest Ajax with us offering the return of excaptain Davy Klassen in exchange for young Kluivert? Kim Vivian 164 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:25:43 I am very nervous that this is sending a signal about the Allardyce situation. If he was nailed on to stay I think Wayne would be nailed on to leave. He will for sure have some inside track on that situation and it could just be he's chasing the money or knows something none of us has learnt yet. Someone posted earlier that this could mean Sam is likely to be staying. Just hope and pray that's wrong. Brent Stephens 165 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:30:28 Dermot, at least you'll be sober tomorrow - our beloved blues will still be up a creek without a paddle. Dermot Byrne 166 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:31:51 Ah shite Brent. Hangover and Sam still there. Temperance must be embraced! Dave Abrahams 167 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:34:44 Mark (161, Mark there is no "if" about Kenwright and the Rooney transfer, Kenwright said at The Dixies award night that the Rooney transfer was the easiest negotiations he had ever been involved in, gushing over how Wayne had taken a huge pay cut to join the club, and then finishing with " Wayne had such a smile on his face when he signed the contract he would have to to the hospital to get it erased, a joke Joe Royle used twenty three years ago describing the look on Dave Watsons face after receiving the cup when we beat United. Nothing since with Kenwright in charge, although I bet Billy had one of them smiles on his face when he received that cheque for £24M after selling half his shares. Brian Williams 168 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:34:49 Kim#164.I was thinking the same thing and getting very worried about the prospect of Allardyce staying.Surely not though? Dermot Byrne 169 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:35:10 Kim...could be Wayne realised he would not get a game with new, forward thinking, fast game manager.Caviat: see above discussion with Brent! May be v wrong! Phil Walling 170 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:38:17 This £12M is, to my mind, a myth !It will probably turn out to be the sum of his wages over the length of his contract -half of which will be paid by Everton !Since Moshori enriched Kenwright, we have become the benefactor of failed managers and players par excellence. Soon we shall be paying off DoFs and scouts. And it's not Russian money being used -it's Everton's ! Mark Taylor 171 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:45:04 Hi DaveYes, I probably should have used 'given' rather than 'if'.Your quote of £25m for half of Bill's shares indicates that Mosh would need, if my maths is correct, the best part of £100m to buy the rest of the shareholding. The problem I have is that while you still have large relatively penniless shareholders like Kenwright, there is not enough incentive for Mosh to shove money into the club unless there is some kind of call option. Why would Mosh part with his own cash to make others richer?Nor do I think Mosh is rich enough on his own to pay £100m, underwrite stadium expansion and still leave some room for player investment.This is the deadlock that needs breaking, in my humble opinion. Steve Hogan 172 Posted 10/05/2018 at 19:47:21 Always thought Rooney would play much better in a better side, not one that is bereft in confidence and has had the lifeblood drained out of it by Koeman and Allardyce respectively. Kim Vivian 173 Posted 10/05/2018 at 20:06:26 Surly not, Brian... Surely not!I can see my life slipping away... Dermot Byrne 174 Posted 10/05/2018 at 20:16:12 Zzzz James Marshall 175 Posted 10/05/2018 at 20:21:47 Get rid of Lardiola, keep Rooney for another season under a decent manager and use him properly. He's our top scorer this season and still the best footballing brain we've got.I'd be gutted if he left. Peter Fearon 176 Posted 10/05/2018 at 20:39:59 I was ambivalent about him coming back and I was not especially impressed with his performances this season. I think he knows Allardyce will still be here next season and he is wisely slinging his hook as a result. He knows the ship is listing and he doesn't want to be on it. Rooney's reaction when he was pulled off against Liverpool says everything you need to know about his relationship with the other Fat Bastard. Andy Crooks 177 Posted 10/05/2018 at 20:57:02 Steve, # 129, I have been scared by "real" hard men. So would I say it to the "legend"'s face? Believe me, I absoluteley would. Many things scare me, but not toy soldiers Peter Thistle 178 Posted 10/05/2018 at 21:07:09 Get rid of Rooney and we might see Gylfi Sigurdsson played in his proper position. Has to be better than what we've seen this season. Ian Bennett 179 Posted 10/05/2018 at 21:12:49 I am glad he came back, and it's a shame it wasn't 3 years ago in a better team.£12m and the removal of a bigger earner would free up some funds to invest in a younger squad. 4 or 5 quality signings needed. Kevin Tully 180 Posted 10/05/2018 at 21:51:12 Take that sentimemetal uncle who has cost this club hundreds of millions since he's "saved us" with you. After all, he's a multi-millionaire from being in an industry where you only lose money. His words. You suckers. Ray Smith 181 Posted 10/05/2018 at 22:03:14 Guys wait until Monday (unlikely to be Sunday).Nothing is going to be made public until then at the earliest.Thank you Wayne without actually saying it. "Keep Allardyce and I'm off." The silence is deafening.Moshiri, despite comments to the contrary is not as daft as he is made out on TW.Keep Wayne as a squad player, and immerse him into the Academy / Under-23s et al.Sam is history, I hope! Can you honestly see Marcel Brands agreeing to work with that arrogant, conceited clown? As for the new manager, I'm really not sure; old head with young buck as understudy, may be the way forward? Winning a European league doesn't equal premier league management experience. Guardiola took a season to come to terms with it, despite his reputation.Let's wait until Monday and see what transpires.I am hopeful that Moshiri will dispose of Allardyce and his team, allow Kenwright to sink into the background/oblivion, and we move onwards and upwards.We probably won't see a return in the first year? but I can live with that, if we actually go forward!!!!For me, someone like Wenger/Arteta could work, but highly unlikely, and as previously stated, I can't see Brands working with a dinasour like Allardyce.Conte?Allardyce for another year! Wow, who in their right mind is going to join us? Kevin Tully 182 Posted 10/05/2018 at 22:04:22 By the way, he's got to be a typical "Everton legend" after playing for Man Utd for 13 years. When's the inauguration? Tickets are 㿊.00 with a signed picture of Bill and his mum on the blower to Sr Alex. Don Alexander 183 Posted 10/05/2018 at 22:19:23 Well said Kevin! The truth should be hurting us more than it does regarding Kenwright and his 20-year search for a loaded plonker who'll indulge him further. Jim Hardin 184 Posted 10/05/2018 at 22:38:58 Good to get rid of him sooner than later. Not the best player for Everton at any position so is surplus. I would rather have Siggy in the middle with Lookman on the left going forward into next season. Wayne's presence in the squad generally means two better players not playing in their best positions (or at all). He is not good enough to overcome that deficit anymore. Take away his four goals off of PK's (3 plus the rebound goal) and he is bang average. I believe that both Niasse and Tosun have better goals per minutes played ratios. I worry that if he comes to the USA, he will be another Gerrard. The pace of MLS is faster and there is a boatload more running involved. He cannot do it as a number 10. Turf, travel, temperatures, and altitude will quickly put him on the bench or in the training room injured. On the other hand, DC United is opening the new stadium on July 14, so having him present as the headliner may be why they are going after him. Otherwise, it is a lot of money for a part-time striker/forward. Anthony Murphy 185 Posted 10/05/2018 at 22:45:37 This summer we could see:Kenwright out Elstone outWalsh out or moved to chief scoutAllardyce, Sammy Lee, Shakespeare and Dunc outBrands inNew CEO inNew Manager and team inHappy with that. Very risky making so many changes at once, but we need a complete refresh at the club. Let's hope Moshiri knows what he's doing! James Flynn 186 Posted 10/05/2018 at 23:17:47 So, he's going.Least I got to see him in an Everton shirt. Always have that opening game header for the win. A goal Starting 11 Sandro and Klaassan helped create! And that hat trick. Despite the sad average wage of MLS players, the league has lots of money. They can definitely come up with numbers that make sense for Wayne.I live in the DC area. With DC United's new stadium opening real soon and Wayne's arrival, there will actually be some pro soccer excitement around here for the first time in years.Wayne will even have an easier adjustment to playing here than Beckham etal had. United had to start the season with a slew of road games due to the delay in their new stadium opening. So, he'll get a run of home games plus the short, easy flights to NY, New England, and Atlanta.After that, God help him. He'll discover, like the rest that come over, you live out of a suitcase playing over here. Jerome Shields 187 Posted 10/05/2018 at 23:20:00 Good. He wasn't worth the wages. Signing him showed how far the Everton project to get into the top four was off the mark. It would have been better to keep Gareth Barry. Gavin Johnson 188 Posted 10/05/2018 at 23:21:34 I'm kinda relieved Rooney looks to be going. He's done okay and given his all to the shirt but it's often felt like we've been shoehorning him into the team, the same as he was towards the end of his United career. Wayne still has undoubted talent but he's not mobile enough to play as a forward, or as good with his passing to be the deep lying midfielder. I'm surprised the number of people that want him to stay. If he was to stay is he worth 𧵎k a week to be an impact sub?! And if you think he should be a starter each week, do you really see him playing in a team playing fast attacking football?! I don't see it in either instance. Jerome Shields 189 Posted 10/05/2018 at 23:23:05 As far as DC United is concerned, he is the best player we ever had. John Boon 190 Posted 10/05/2018 at 23:38:00 Personally, I like to see Rooney in the Everton team. I feel he has dropped off since Allardyce came and, despite what the manager says, I don't think Rooney likes working with him. However, that is pure speculation.There are many players around Rooney's age who are still able to add significantly to the game. Two good examples are Ronaldo and David Silva and I am sure there are more. I still think Rooney likes to enjoy his life after football games. Unfortunately, he no longer appears to have the discipline to maintain the fitness and stamina needed to play at the top level. He also doesn't seem to even enjoy playing. He was offering more before Allardyce arrived.If he does move to the US, I am not sure he will find it as easy as he might think. I don't see his new career lasting much longer than Gerrard's did in the US Matthew Williams 191 Posted 10/05/2018 at 23:46:04 It seems that some sources have it that Rooney wants to stay, but Allardyce has to go...Sounds good to me. Time will tell. Ed Prytherch 192 Posted 11/05/2018 at 03:24:58 Wayne should move to DC United where he will be appreciated. He and his family will have a new adventure and they may well enjoy the American lifestyle. It has worked out well for the Beckhams. Nothing ventured, nothing gained and it beats the hell out of China. Christine Foster 193 Posted 11/05/2018 at 07:15:35 Wayne Rooney's legs have gone, get rid, etc etc... absolute tosh. Merson got it spot on last night: he needs pace around him to best use him and Everton under Sam Allardyce are the most paceless team in the Premier League.Rooney is a professional who loves Everton but is not stupid. He would play in any position asked by the manager but he isn't happy being used in a deep defensive role and since Allardyce came his contribution has diminished. I have always said if he is used to his strengths then he would still be immensely valuable to the team. But it's clear he does not fit the mould of Allardyce's requirements. That's not his fault... yet some of the brainless posts cannot see class over youth if it kicked them in the nuts. The worst thing I would say about this is that it would confirm Allardyce as Everton manager next season. We continue to hire managers who fail to get the best out of players who end up unhappy and leaving.We continue to keep others who will never make the grade... good players give up on Everton, that's the most damming result of this, that and another season of Allardyce. Colin Glassar 194 Posted 11/05/2018 at 07:31:52 Sam goes, Rooney stays or vice versa. Rooney, as others have stated, with mobile players around him can still be an important player for us with his vision and goals.Fat Sam is not only killing Wayne he's draining the lifeblood out of us. Sack Sam on Sunday and let's get on with our lives again. Sam Hoare 195 Posted 11/05/2018 at 07:34:41 Christine, in my experience Paul Merson is seldom right; eg, him saying Stoke would never get relegated this season.Pace might help Rooney but ultimately his passing is not good enough. There was a fair amount of pace at Man Utd in his last season and yet he made minimal impact. He's still a very decent player but, for 𧵎k a week, we need more than that.I certainly want us to have more pace in the team and Rooney is an obstacle to that. It would be okay if he was a high-level passer/creator but he's not. Sigurdsson gets more assists, key passes etc and also does more defensively. For me Rooney is a bench player next season and not sure he wants that. Kim Vivian 196 Posted 11/05/2018 at 07:53:04 So it seems Wayne's decision to stay or go is indeed an accurate barometer of Sam's likely destiny. Another genuine Blue who seems to be in the same camp as the rest (most) of us. I'd love to see Sam go (with gratitude for his achievements this year to be fair) and see Rooney utilised most effectively - however that may be - with a new progressive manager and management team in place. Please let this happen. Tommy Carter 197 Posted 11/05/2018 at 08:04:34 The bottom line is, he's finished. Don't think of him as the greatest England goal scorer of all time, don't think of him as the player who was able to lead the line for a decade in a world class team. Think of it like this, a player who we signed last summer who is our biggest earner. Judge his performances against what we have actually got, not what we hope he can still be. Apart from a wonder strike against a woeful West Ham side, and a decent finish against Arsenal – what has he offered? Not very much. If he was somebody that we didn't really know then it would be a bite your hand off scenario. Put it this way, has he been any better than Ross was last season? No, and most Evertonians couldn't wait to get rid of Ross Barkley. Kunal Desai 198 Posted 11/05/2018 at 08:11:31 Allardyce is on the monday night football. Will he be sacked on the sunday then? I reckon he will be talking about planning for the season ahead. There is too much uncertainty at the club. Club must confirm what is happening after sundays game. Colin Glassar 199 Posted 11/05/2018 at 08:28:24 Sounds like Moshiri prefers Sam over Wayne as Sam almost certainly guarantees prem survival. In this case, BPB might be our saving grace as he, apparently, wants Sam out and Rooney to stay.The people at the top of our club are fucking useless, both of them, and I fear for our future. New stadium, CL football, sexy football, Hollywood manager etc... it all sounds like a massive dose of bullshit to me. Last one out turn the lights off please. Tony Hill 200 Posted 11/05/2018 at 08:39:59 Whatever you think of Allardyce, it is important that Rooney and his chief supporter, Kenwright, do not hold sway. It would be another victory for sentimentality.Ditto with Klaassen and Ramirez, but Rooney is the main test, a marker as to whether we are going to remain Kenwright FC with all the useless nostalgia that entails. Paul Smith 201 Posted 11/05/2018 at 08:55:41 Seems like there's some weight to the 'if he goes I stay rumours'. Not sure about this one Rick Tarleton 202 Posted 11/05/2018 at 09:30:02 Rooney or Allardyce? Now there's a choice. Can I say neither? Tony Abrahams 203 Posted 11/05/2018 at 09:38:19 Football is mostly about pace these days, so for that reason I think Mersin, might be half right Christine.I've read many people on these pages, try and compare Wayne to Pirlo, even though they are, and have always been, totally different players. One of them has spent his career trying to find space, whilst the other was always at his best when he was attacking space?Rooney has lost his burst of pace, and although you never lose your ability, then once you slow down, I don't think the middle of the park is the best place to be re-inventing yourself. Dave Evans 204 Posted 11/05/2018 at 09:42:52 Rick Only if you can follow with instead of. Brian Williams 205 Posted 11/05/2018 at 09:44:34 After sifting through MOST of the media bullshit and trying to come up with some sort of sensible and believable scenario the one that "appears" reasonable is a very worrying one.Media are suggesting that Rooney would stay if Allardyce goes as Allardyce has said he's not part of his plans for next season.Moshiri has given Rooney the OK to talk to DC United.This would suggest that Moshiri agrees with Allardyce on Rooney.And here's the scary part.THAT would suggest that Allardyce is staying next season.Someone come up with a theory where Allardyce DOESN'T stay please!!!! James Flynn 206 Posted 11/05/2018 at 09:58:39 Brian (205) - Easy. Go back to the OP and Read Sam's comments. It's over here too that Wayne's going to DC. Keep in mind, also, Lyndon's standard policy of leaving Rumour Mill items in the Rumour Mill unless the story grows legs.Given what looks to be happening, Sam's comments appear to be guesses or just totally wrong. Which means a club's manager is completely out of the loop on player movement of one of his starting 11. Jerome Shields 207 Posted 11/05/2018 at 10:25:08 Allardyce is Everton's manager for next season. Rooney has to go to get rid of his obsurd wages, hopefully getting money back on the transfer, and Rooney is finished as a Premier League player. (His own fault). Phil Walling 208 Posted 11/05/2018 at 10:26:30 If Allardyce was staying, would not Moshiri and he have talked over the Rooney issue before now ?Oh, I forgot. It's Moshiri we refer to. He's probably briefed Jim White rather than his manager !! John Malone 209 Posted 11/05/2018 at 10:27:54 Should never have signed him anyway it was a backwards step. Only reason we signed him was for the romance of the wonderboy coming back to his root's and his name in the game. If he wasn't good enough to get a game for United then he shouldn't have been for us if we want to be a top team. We need to be signing the up and coming star's not the washed up ones! David Booth 210 Posted 11/05/2018 at 10:39:00 This whole 'him or me' thing is a complete misnomer. A gift for the media to feed on.So do not allow yourself to be whipped into a frenzy by sensationalist headlines.If Allardyce is in charge for the first game of the 2018/19 season, there will be a mutiny like football has never seen before.His position is untenable. He knows it. We know it. And I am sure the board know it too.What Rooney's motives are however, none of us know.My guess is he's so vain and fuelled by his self-righteous sense of importance, that he is angered not having his 'golden boy' status pandered to any more and being the first to be hooked-off in nearly every game. That ego of his is not capable of handling such affronts. Like anyone, he cannot see his own deficiencies: that he has become a complete waste of space and a possession-surrendering liability - despite this being well-sussed by management and fans alike.So suck it up and warm your ass on the bench Rooney, or naff off and warm the rest of your body with it in the USA.You should never have come back here and you are already surplus to requirements. Steve Brown 211 Posted 11/05/2018 at 11:19:23 Rooney just wants assurances from a manager who wants assurances from a chairman who wants assurances from the owner. If he leaves, the manager who wants assurances will talk to the director of football who wants assurances from the chairman who wants assurances about signing a replacement. They will target a player who wants assurances. Fill the rest in yourselves.Just shows what a mess Everton are now! Eugene Kearney 212 Posted 11/05/2018 at 11:22:58 I want assurances that that was the last Allardyce press conference ever, that I listened to on another tab while tying out an email at 10 this morning.I think there'll be big spring cleaning this summer (!!) whether Rooney stays or goes. Alex Mullan 213 Posted 11/05/2018 at 11:25:24 It all went tits up in the space of one brutal night when we managed to not sign a striker on deadline day and Rooney went out on a bender. The day the shoots of positivity died. I was naive enough to think we had turned a corner. Steve Brown 214 Posted 11/05/2018 at 11:34:15 David @ 142, chances created 2nd, shots on goals 1st and shots on target 1st. How does your theory that it's all down to penallties square with that? He has scored 25% of our goals this season and we have not won a single game when he didn't feature.Given that, why are so many glad to see him go? It makes no sense to sell him when we could start next season stuck with Williams, Martina, Jags, Keane, Baines, Schneiderlin, Bolasie, Niasse, Besic, Mirallas, Galloway, Browning, Sandro and even Klaasen. 215 Posted 11/05/2018 at 11:49:16 If he does stay, it would make sense to keep him on the bench as an impact sub, as his legs will not carry him 90 minutes any more; but as he is one of our few players who know how to score, if we need a goal he can spend the last 30 minutes hanging round the penalty area, playing off the CH and waiting for a chance. Jer Kiernan 216 Posted 11/05/2018 at 11:57:09 12m DC United!!! I wonder are they looking for any old rope as I have plenty to sell ??Take the money and take their arm off aswell, You can then use the arm to beat kenwright over the head with for being a soppy auld sentimentalist git.Jez if God himself walked through the doors of Goodison in August I doubt he could sort this mess out Matthew Williams 217 Posted 11/05/2018 at 12:42:51 Report on TalkSport that Rooney has left training at Finch Farm...?!?Just wtf is happening at our club?!? And still not a fucking peep outta Moshiri??? Matt Edwards 218 Posted 11/05/2018 at 12:52:19 I sense the media is pushing this big time. One outlet claiming he just stormed out of training leaving his teammates to train without him, another showing pictures of him at Chester races with Colleen! Sam Hoare 219 Posted 11/05/2018 at 13:04:23 Steve@214, most of those stats can be explained by the fact that he has played more minutes than any other attacking player.In terms of shots he likes to shoot from anywhere and has the most shots off target too!Obviously penalties is relevant to his goals scored and half of his goals come from the spot or rebounds after missed pens.Better to look at influence per game (shots, passes, chances etc) to get an idea of what someone is contributing and Siggurdsson outstrips Wayne in most areas. Neither are in the upper echelons compared to the rest of the league. Simon Smith 220 Posted 11/05/2018 at 13:17:03 Matt @ 218.I think he is injured which is why he didn't train and left early today. The media can make it sound like whatever they feel like. Ray Roche 221 Posted 11/05/2018 at 13:18:13 Matt Chester races was a couple of days ago. Steve Brown 222 Posted 11/05/2018 at 13:27:25 Sam @219, 'outstrips' is a bit hyperbolic. They are pretty evenly matched with Rooney leading on goals and Sigurdsson on assists. Rooney is number one for shots on target as well as total shots (post @67). I think we should just be grateful that anyone was trying to shoot at all given we are 19th out of 20 for shots on target and total shots. No other bugger was trying anything positive.It is no coincidence that Sigurdsson's influence increased when he moved the CAM role and Rooney's waned when he dropped into central midfield. Let's be clear, I think Rooney amd Sigurdsson had poor seasons overall, but compared to the rest of them they were Ronaldo and Messi. So let's lay off Rooney and save the bile for those who truly deserve it - take a bow Williams, Schneiderlin and Mirallas. Steavey Buckley 223 Posted 11/05/2018 at 13:33:24 Rooney has made his situation very clear, if Allardyce goes, he goes. Rooney may not have had a good season by his standards, but he does recognise a good manager when he plays under one. Kim Vivian 224 Posted 11/05/2018 at 13:46:31 Steavey - should one of those "goes" be "stays".Take your pick...? John Wright 225 Posted 11/05/2018 at 13:47:05 Ray (221) last day of Chester Races today mate. Tony Everan 226 Posted 11/05/2018 at 13:47:49 Wayne is an Evertonian and no one can accuse him of not trying his best whenever he's played. Trouble is he is getting older, slower and more error prone. Since December his form has been very patchy.He will be 33 in October and footballing wise things are not going to improve. They will worsen. Any injury could see him struggling to recover the required fitness levels.Going to the MLS would be good for the club and a good move for him to finish his career.If he wants to stay it will be as an impact sub, in attack. James Marshall 227 Posted 11/05/2018 at 13:52:10 He didn't storm out of training, he left early because he's injured. He left early all week.I'll be surprised if he goes to the US, he has a young family in the UK and in the US he'll spend his entire season travelling - America is a fucking big place.It'd be a major upheaval for his family and not just a footballing decision. I don't know the bloke, obviously so you never know. Good luck to him if he does, I was glad he came back and happy to see him play a few games even if he isn't the old Rooney. Winston Williamson 228 Posted 11/05/2018 at 14:13:57 If I was an Everton player and an Evertonian, I too would question my future at the club under the present management. In fact, I'd be demanding the club made a change or I would be off!Imagine going into work to deal with Allardyce when you've previously held your profession under Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho! it must be as depressing for him as it is for us! Darren Murphy 229 Posted 11/05/2018 at 17:48:24 Good. Offers nothing for lack of pace etc. Left for United, won it all then comes back here not home and gets paid the most. If we had done well under a decent sound manager and the players we bought fitted like we all assumed, Rooney would've been a shirt seller off the bench if lucky. Once a blue... my ass! Mike Gaynes 230 Posted 11/05/2018 at 18:04:56 David #210, I'd like to be whipped into a frenzy by SOMETHING related to Everton. At the moment I've been pounded into a dull depression. David Booth 231 Posted 12/05/2018 at 02:34:04 Mike: I know how you feel.We all know how you feel! Ed Prytherch 232 Posted 12/05/2018 at 03:51:09 Yes, America is a big place but every city has at least one airport and Audi Field is a 10 minute drive to Ronald Reagan National Airport. Going to some of their games will be quicker than driving to West Brom on the M6. Karen Mason 233 Posted 12/05/2018 at 09:23:19 Really hope he stays. I'm sure under the right manager, he will come back to form and have a great season in a Blue Shirt. Still our top goal scorer this season, so there has to be so much more about your game that we are currently seeing under this manager. Age is just a number. If you are good enough, you're young enough. Like many posters on here - I'm still a huge fan and believe in his talent and passion for our club. Please stay Wazza. Darren Murphy 234 Posted 12/05/2018 at 17:13:24 Karen, he's the Wayne Rooney of now not the pace skilled one man wrecking crew of old Eve and United. He's nothing and hopefully he goes off our books asap. I'd pay Jordan more money and some of our younger lads instead of the likes of Judas, Williams, Schneiderbin etc. We're trying to move forward not sideways as we have this season. Darren Murphy 235 Posted 12/05/2018 at 17:15:47 @ Jer, amen brother. Spot on laaa Phil Smith 236 Posted 12/05/2018 at 17:43:46 I'd like to see him another season with a more attack-minded coach, but if he goes he goes and we move on. I'd be more upset if we let Lookman go though. another goal and 2 assists today. Karen Mason 237 Posted 12/05/2018 at 18:12:40 Hi Darren @ 234, Agree with you about bringing on some of our youngsters, but think perhaps your view of Rooney & what he may be capable of under the right manager may be somewhat coloured by your 'dislike' of the fact that he left us in the first place. ( I pick that up from the fact that you used 'Judas'). I think many are judging him too harshly on his recent performances. Even the best of players have down turns in form, and he is undeniably one of the best. Stand by the fact that while players may lose some pace with age, you don't lose vision, natural talent, ability to pass & football intelligence. All if which he possesses. All the best teams are a blend of youth & experience AND his name alone would bring players to the club, who without him may not consider us a viable option in our current state. I still think he deserves another season with a decent manager. Guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one Darren! Ray Smith 238 Posted 13/05/2018 at 14:20:10 If we are to progress we must not assume like a lot of us (me included) did last year. If you assume it generally makes an ass/u/me, and that sums this season up for me.IMO, starting tomorrow morning, Moshiri needs to weald the axe.OutKenwrightWoodsElstoneWalshAllardyceLeeShakespeareFerguson (sorry big man)Players: contract up in brackets. Steklenberg (June 2019)Robles, good No2 (June 2018)Williams (June 2019)Mangala (June 2018)Martina (June 2020)Besic (June 2021)Tarashaj (June 2020)Mirallas (June 2020)Sandro (June 2021)Bolasie? (June 2021)Schneiderlin (June 2021)Henen (June 2018)Niasse (June 2020)Rooney? (June 2019)Give Garbutt a chance.Bring backLookmanRobinsonOnyerkuru (sort his work permit out)It won't happen tomorrow, but things need putting in place now, and no assumptions.Next season we should be looking for top 6. Top 4 is not achievable for 2 to 3 yrs, and only then if we get big names in, and not current top 6 cast offs.I appreciate Moshiri needs to acquire Woods shares, before wielding the axe at the top, but that's the main problem IMO. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads