Rooney set to travel to DC to discuss MLS move

Wednesday, 23 May, 2018 82comments  |  Jump to most recent

Updated Wayne Rooney will fly to the US capital this week to undergo a medical exam and discuss the finer points of his proposed move to DC United according to Washington Post sources.

The newspaper cites sources close to the situation who claim that Rooney will have face-to-face talks with the Major League Soccer club on Thursday as he seeks to conclude a transfer away from Everton after just one season back at Goodison Park.

Suggestions that Rooney could move on this summer surfaced in the build-up to Everton's final match of the season against West Ham. There was speculation that he might wait to see whether or not Sam Allardyce was retained as the Blues' boss but the deal seems to have progressed in the interim.

Despite the fact that DC United listed Rooney's name as an option for ordering merchandise off their official website this week press reports regarding Rooney's visit, which he will make from the Caribbean where he is on holiday, are remaining cautious, saying that he will further assess the terms offered as well as the area's suitability his family.

Further indications from the UK media have it that Rooney will hold further talks with Everton before making a final decision but that he is also upset at the Blues' willingness to let him go.

One of the Post's sources is quoted as saying: “By no means is it a done deal, but it's a step in the right direction,” but .

Assuming everything is agreed, Rooney's move wouldn't officially come into effect until 10th July when the MLS transfer window opens. He is believed to be agreeing to a £12m compensation package, with Everton likely to cancel his contract and reap the almost £8m they'll save in wages over the remainder of his contract in lieu of a transfer fee.

 

Reader Comments (82)

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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 23/05/2018 at 06:31:12
Good luck to ya, Wayne.

DC United, the worst franchise in MLS. Dismal 10-year record, bottom of the league right now, poorly run, doesn't spend, even charges its academy players an annual fee. New stadium stuck in a dust-choked corner of the district known as, appropriately enough, Buzzard Point.

Of course, Wayne himself is a bit dusty and buzzard-stalked these days.

Should be an interesting marriage. As long as it lasts.

Brian Murray
2 Posted 23/05/2018 at 06:41:20
He should never have been given the privilege of putting on a blue shirt again anyway. Yet again another blubbering Bill emotional call no doubt. That man's a continuous curse on EFC.
Colin Glassar
3 Posted 23/05/2018 at 07:14:04
Good luck Wayne. Apart from Capitol Hill (Congress, White House, Lincoln Memorial etc...) the rest of the city is pretty shitty tbh. Very hot in the summer and extremely cold in the winter.
Gaute Lie
4 Posted 23/05/2018 at 07:32:45
How much do they pay?
Lenny Kingman
5 Posted 23/05/2018 at 07:35:20
Life is a breeze for Rooney. A fair and lucrative trade wind taking him to America for a kick off, possibly riding the money hurricane to China after that, and back to his beloved Everton with the booty.

As it said in an article the other day, the club will welcome him back with open arms, name your own job and more cash. Maybe he can cut the ribbon at the opening of the new stadium on his return. Usher in the future blues success that we all desire.

Jerome Shields
6 Posted 23/05/2018 at 07:35:30
Good.
Steve Ferns
7 Posted 23/05/2018 at 07:49:59
Sad to see him go. But it was sadder to watch his decline on the pitch.

Anyone hear Ginola advocate him signing for Spurs instead of going to America? No wonder he's not had much of a career after football.

Good luck, Wayne. I hope you can do yourself justice over there.

Derek Knox
8 Posted 23/05/2018 at 07:51:51
Mike Gaynes, thanks for the insight into DC United, we don't get that sort of information this side of the pond.

If the Club is as you say, and I don't doubt you for one minute, what has attracted Rooney there?

Could it be the money by any chance?

Keith Monaghan
9 Posted 23/05/2018 at 07:53:54
Once a traitor, always a traitor – with the morals of an alley-cat too.

Should never have been re-employed by our club once he'd deserted us and should never be allowed to set foot again in Goodison Park, Finch Farm, Bramley-Moore Dock, or any other of our land.

Jim Bennings
10 Posted 23/05/2018 at 08:02:33
I just hope everything (signing and selling players and appointing managers) isn’t going to drag on this summer!
Jeremy Jansen
11 Posted 23/05/2018 at 08:19:22
I think he stands to make more staying at Everton if it was simply all about the money. I'm not a DC United fan but, once upon a time, they were a top MLS club but have been a joke in recent history. (Sounds familiar...) The club simply didn't keep up with the rest of the league and has been languishing.

He can still do a job for them and he will definitely be a draw for the club in terms of fans and signing players (much like Beckham did for LA). They'll be opening a new stadium within the next couple of months so it will be an exciting time for the club if he joins them.

It would give me an excuse to catch DC when they come out to Seattle to play the Sounders. I'll be bummed if he goes as I think he can still do a job for us but I don't think he'll be happy unless he can dictate his playing time – which I don't think is in the cards if he stays with us.

Brian Williams
12 Posted 23/05/2018 at 08:19:55
Jeez, some Evertonians...!!!
Trevor Lynes
13 Posted 23/05/2018 at 08:24:00
I suppose we will be looking at bargain buys at Man Utd again although now we have no assets on the playing field.This close season period is going to be a time that this boardroom will need to show its ambition by stumping up money for a change.Every transfer window we make profit and this time around we cannot as we have no one to sell to any of the big clubs.This will test the resolve of the board members. Any new manager will need and want a transfer budget of some size to entice him to our club.
Ian Burns
14 Posted 23/05/2018 at 09:32:15
I was open-minded with regards to his original return to the club but hopeful and wanted him to be the success some of us thought he might be. However, I think he has let himself down and it was sad to watch at times.

I would rather dwell on that wonderful hat-trick goal against West Ham. Good luck, Wayne, it sounds as though you might be needing it.

Kevin Tully
15 Posted 23/05/2018 at 09:58:36
Message to Marcel Brands:

● No more Man Utd Rejects. We have been a dumping ground for too long.
● No more overpriced players from relegation-threatened clubs.
● No more players who are past their best, we've seen them all fail.
● No more ex-players on the coaching staff.
● No more strikers from inferior leagues.
● Don't answer the phone if an actor wants to give you advice on footballing matters.

Lastly, we haven't seen a great player at Goodison for 30 years, sort the scouting out. It's an absolute disgrace.

Thanks,

KT.

Paul Kelly
16 Posted 23/05/2018 at 10:12:48
Incredible to think, his last goal came on the 18th December (?) and he's still our top scorer for last season.

I've got mixed feelings about the lad (I certainly wouldn't take dating advice off him!); he gave his all? But he also could've given a lot more to the cause if he looked after himself.

But who am I to judge? Thanks for the memories, lad, fish and tater'.

James Stewart
17 Posted 23/05/2018 at 10:20:06
Left too early, came back too late.

Sad really.

Seb Niemand
18 Posted 23/05/2018 at 10:26:32
I can't help but think he was never given the chance to do the job he could have done and deserved better and would have given better. I bear him no animus (literally, not in the Jungian sense) and never have and wish him and his family luck.
Paul Kelly
19 Posted 23/05/2018 at 10:27:55
KT, in regards to not answering the phone to actors, what if it's Sean Bean from ‘When Saturday Comes'?

Er, forget it. He wasn't all that in Ronin.

Scott Hall
20 Posted 23/05/2018 at 10:36:26
Younger than David Silva and Ronaldo. He should be ashamed of the way he's looked after himself. He could still have been great to this day if he'd focused on fitness and not shagging around. Had Fat Sam played him in an attacking role with pace around him, I'm sure he would have made it to 20 goals this season. But Everton don't do fairytales, only nightmares.

I'm sure there'll be an emotional video released by the club to commemorate his departure. What next Bill? Ah yes... Moyes is looking for work, isn't he. And we can always reminisce about something that happened on this day in the early 90s because that's important right?

Sam Hoare
21 Posted 23/05/2018 at 10:42:46
It was a nice idea and there were some lovely moments, notably against West Ham.

He still has something to offer but his passing, whilst very decent, is not good enough to make up for his lack of mobility around the middle of the park.

Darren Murphy
22 Posted 23/05/2018 at 10:50:54
Good, and take the over the hill players like Baines, Williams, Schneiderlin in etc. Bolasie can go back to Palace with £30 million and we'll have Zaha. I know anythings better than Avaslice but Silva? He'll want to leave by Christmas ffs. Crazy times ahead yet again.
Darren Murphy
23 Posted 23/05/2018 at 10:51:52
@17 James, exactly mate.
David Booth
24 Posted 23/05/2018 at 11:48:27
I rest my case: My disdain for Wayne on the wane

He should never have been invited back and I cannot wait for him to sneak out of the back door now that he has been found out.

I hope his departure, coupled with last week's positive changes to the board, signals an end to the unambitious sentimentality that has plagued our last 23 trophy-less years.

James Flynn
25 Posted 23/05/2018 at 12:22:43
Well, there are many ToffeeWeb versions of this:

"Should be ashamed of the way he's looked after himself. Could still have been great to this day if he'd focused on fitness and not shagging around."

Apparently the 600+ games he's played for club and country had nothing to do with his body wearing down. Playing for club and country meant several seasons, across his prime, where he basically played year-round. Nothing to do with his legs gone by his early 30s.

"Beer and skirts. That's what done him! Shameful" Hahaha.

Jamie Crowley
26 Posted 23/05/2018 at 12:28:27
Derek Knox back @8 -

Not to speak for Mike Gaynes, but I think I can answer your question of what drew Rooney to DC.

'Merica.

If you're coming stateside, DC is honestly one of the "coolest" cities you'll find. Southern Maryland is jaw-droppingly beautiful as is Northern Virginia. Add that to being in the historical center of America's history (admittedly a shorter history to what you're accustomed to but a pretty intriguing one nonetheless). You can't pick a better place in this country to be in my opinion.

Traffic is awful but, aside from that, the DC area is absolutely wonderful.

I'd say Wayne is getting paid a mint to play in a country and area he'll probably grow to love – and he knows it. Great experience for his family as well.

He doesn't give two shits how poorly DC United are run. And they're a lot like Everton – good history, not so good last decade (read longer for Everton but you see the parallels).

He's coming over, getting paid, and it's a great, great area of this country. The soccer and the Club don't really matter and don't factor into the equation.

Roger Helm
27 Posted 23/05/2018 at 12:32:59
I just hope he is not back as a coach in two years. We have to get away from this habit of appointing people just because they have played for Everton in the past. NSNO applies to coaches too.
Tony J Williams
28 Posted 23/05/2018 at 12:33:25
Rumours are that Baines will be joining him too...
Jamie Crowley
29 Posted 23/05/2018 at 12:36:22
So many bitter people!

'Told ya so he's shite! Should have never brought him back!'

Drown the witch I say!!

I prefer to remember this link below. Oh, and although it didn't pan out, I still haven't seen, possibly barring Mikel Arteta, a player with more skill or vision than Rooney.

Thank you, Wayne, from one fan who won't roast the fuck out of you, I wish you luck.

Derek Knox
30 Posted 23/05/2018 at 12:40:23
Thanks Jamie C, much appreciate to get the picture from someone who lives in the Country. Even with media coverage these days, certain aspects are rarely mentioned, or covered.
Alan Bodell
31 Posted 23/05/2018 at 12:40:43
KT, bang on the money there, mate – I especially agree with the ex-playing coaching staff bit.
Les Green
32 Posted 23/05/2018 at 12:45:56
I just read a story about potential Everton interest in the Swiss left-back Rodriguez at Milan and, within the piece, it mentioned an apparent move to the MLS on a free for Leighton Baines.

It did say that it originated from The Sun, though, so it's probably bollocks.

Steve Brown
33 Posted 23/05/2018 at 13:00:20
God, there are some bitters amongst our fans. Rooney is only leaving to reduce the wage bill, because – if it was linked to performances or form – then Williams, Mirallas, Schneiderlin, Bolasie, Baines, Keane, Sandro, Davies and Klaassen should all have left already.

Only Sigurdsson has matched his productivity in terms of goals and assists; he lost possession often because he was one of the few players with the balls to show for the ball and look for a forward pass.

Good luck, Wayne, you are leaving a load of dross behind you... but it sounds like you are headed to a load more in DC United.

Scott Hall
34 Posted 23/05/2018 at 13:10:53
James @25,

It's a good job Ronaldo and David Silva haven't been playing regularly both domestically, in Europe, and internationally since a young age isn't it? Otherwise the comparison to Rooney just wouldn't be fair.

Christine Foster
35 Posted 23/05/2018 at 13:29:06
Steve Brown (#33), I couldn't agree more, plenty of "told you so" and "good riddance"... yet here is a guy who leaves as our top scorer, despite not playing in forward roles since December, used badly, out of position being asked to do what his legs couldn't, we could all see, but Allardyce?

But sadly, the bitterness from some negates his value to the club, I wish him well and now you can all move on to the next target, Davies perhaps? Tosun if he fails to score after two games?

Haven't seen a great player at the club for 30 years... ?

Quite right though.. for the last 30 years, we became the Gumtree of the Premier League. Anyone with potential was sold and anyone playing at their peak walked away. Look at the club and its management for that failing, but look no further than here for a few bricks to hurl at our own players.

The sourness that has prevailed at our club is the legacy of Kenwright and his friends, who bought cheap, sold what ever they could, and never spent a penny... it will take more than a few years to forget, an even longer time to forgive.

Niall McIlhone
36 Posted 23/05/2018 at 13:37:45
Hey Scott (#34) did you know there's a road named after you? It's the A61 in Leeds.

Anyways, James (#17) sums it up. Wayne was the first true superstar Everton FC have produced in what, 40 years?

Despite all of the bile about his fitness and personal life, the man has achieved more in his professional life that probably all of us contributing on this site have ever done. And he has been played out of position virtually all season and still ended up leading scorer. Not a great return, but hey, not bad, and even though aspects of his game had clearly deteriorated, his heart was in it – we could all see that, unlike some players I could mention?

A good deal all round really, I hope Wayne, Colleen and the boys have a great life in DC or WV, wherever they settle. Thanks for the memories. I shall travel out to watch him, as my daughter lives about 200 miles from Washington, DC.

Denis Richardson
37 Posted 23/05/2018 at 13:42:12
Fantastic news. I never wanted him back in the first place and thats nothing to do with the way he left. He was simply a hugely expensive over-the-hill pro that was never going to work and a divisive influence in the dressing room to boot.

Koeman didn't want him in the first place and his signing was one of the reasons the season went off the rails imo. Starting with Sigurdsson, Klaassen and Rooney in the squad was just bonkers, along with not signing a proper centre-forward.

Waste of £7.5m in wages and whatever signing on fee was paid to him and the fact Man Utd were willing to still cover almost half his salary to shift him out should have had alarm bells ringing.

Hope it happens.

Xmas really coming early: Allardyce gone, Elstone gone, Rooney almost gone, and hopefully Kenwright also gone in August.

Going to be a completely new set up September — long wait almost over.

Tom Dodds
38 Posted 23/05/2018 at 13:55:51
KT (#15),

The last remaining reminder, I hope to all our fans, re our tumbleweeded past under the Grand Leech & 'friend's.

Wagons, finally... HO!

John Audsley
39 Posted 23/05/2018 at 14:07:09
Christine, bang on – as always!

Kenwright and his mates never put a penny into EFC and took years to find a good enough deal to sell.

I can only hope he goes this summer and we can start again.

James Carroll
40 Posted 23/05/2018 at 14:33:52
Steady on with the negative reviews of DC itself! I've lived here 14 years now, having also lived for years in both Liverpool and London.

DC is an incredible, vibrant, thriving city with much to offer and, actually, plenty of beauty. The new stadium is in a rapidly up-and-coming part of town, right next to the successful baseball team (Washington Nationals).

Say what you will about Wayne being past his best, but DC is thriving!

Ian Linn
41 Posted 23/05/2018 at 15:08:53
Thanks, Wayne.

Best of luck for the future.

Nick Armitage
42 Posted 23/05/2018 at 15:38:27
Players of his age, like Ronaldo and Silva, are still at the top of their game, while even James Milner, a limited player with a quarter of the ability, is simply streets ahead. Zlatan was older and ran rings around Rooney at Man Utd too.

Sadly it looks like smoking, boozing and shagging have been more important to him than football and time has caught up with him, Sam Allardyce was right about one thing in his time at Everton.

Mike Gaynes
43 Posted 23/05/2018 at 15:54:06
ESPN reporting three hours ago that it's not a done deal, that Rooney could still decide to stay at Everton.

Although I'm with the majority on Wayne's being past it, I do agree with Christine (#35) that the hostility here towards him is disappointing and sometimes inappropriate IMO. (I particularly call Bullshit on Denis's claim (#37) that Wayne was a "divisive influence in the dressing room" – I've seen no such reporting, and you weren't in the dressing room, so back that up, if you can.)

James (#40), I haven't seen anybody criticize DC here. I agree with you and Jamie (#26) that it can be a great place to live, although I'm not a fan of East Coast weather myself. (Enjoying your current monsoon?) My comment was about the pollution problems of the specific Buzzard's Point area partly caused by the new Audi Stadium, as the Post reported:

New stadium, new restaurants, and more dust and pollution for the poorest residents of Southwest Washington

Jamie, you might be right that the club and footy are irrelevant, but it's still hard for me to imagine Wayne going to a loser like DC United unless he's been sold a bill of goods about imminent changes at the club, including the move to the Audi. When he actually sees the "talent" he'll be playing with, he's going to want a lot of brewskis. And the DC area enforces DUI laws tightly, doesn't it?

James Flynn
44 Posted 23/05/2018 at 16:06:54
Jeez, good luck Wayne, going to that shit-show. Even allowing that MLS is definitely a lower-level league, DC United is terrible. It's odd, given that the owners have laid out so much of their own cash getting their new place built. Maybe now that it's about to open, they'll focus on putting a competitive team on the field. They sure don't have one now...

I can understand why MLS wants him to come over and they have sent him to DC United. I live here. Their new park opens soon, they suck, and in a good area for sports coverage (Pro and University level), DC United almost doesn't exist. So I get it. His legs are shot, but his name still rings out.

Anyway, over-the-hill or not, I've never seen him live, in-person. My Red Bull are in here come August and I'm going. I will have to check when LA Galaxy are coming this way. Might get a ticket for that one, too. See Ibra and Wayne. Be neat.

John G Davies
45 Posted 23/05/2018 at 16:10:27
Nick (#42),

Nothing to do with him playing in the top league since he was a 16-year-old kid?

Nothing to do with him leaving his bollocks on the pitch each and every time he played? 100% in every game.

Nothing to do with him working so hard in every game on the way to becoming England's and Man Utd's all-time top scorer?

Bit of respect due here.

James Marshall
46 Posted 23/05/2018 at 16:53:30
Quite why he would choose to go to DC instead of a nicer city in the US is beyond me. Most of DC is shite.
Roy Coleman
47 Posted 23/05/2018 at 17:21:26
Not a big loss. A very old player considering his age.
James Flynn
48 Posted 23/05/2018 at 18:11:42
Scott (#34) – Ronaldo I get. But if he is to be held up as the standard for fitness across the football world, lots more than Wayne didn't measure up.

And if you haven't noticed, Ronaldo gets held out of games to preserve his legs now and he's not remotely the all-around goal-scoring holy terror he was. He spends a lot of time in the box lately because we both know why. That's best for his legs after all these years if he's to remain a top scoring threat. So, comparisons to Ronaldo I get.

But Silva? You're not the first to toss his name in in comparison to Wayne at the same age. Wayne was 6 seasons into his Manc career and 8th in the top league, when Silva went to Man City. While Wayne was battling (under the most demanding manager) for every piece of club silverware available, Silva was subjected to the crucible that was Eibar, Celta, and Valencia. Really, c'mon now.

As far as taking best care of his athletic career, fitness-wise? I'm still amazed that he's smoked cigarettes the entirety of his career. Wow! But that he got drunk sometimes, so what?

All that said, I can agree his lifestyle cut his career short. An all-action superstar who, over 600+ games, gave every drop of sweat and every fiber of his being towards helping his team win. That'd cut anyone's career short. Wayne too.

Ryan Payne
49 Posted 23/05/2018 at 18:15:01
People on here are silly to complain about his private life. I'm not a Rooney hater/lover, but I bet many of these same people were calling him a traitor in 2004 and screaming his name when he scored vs Stoke in 2017...

If somebody offered me the chance to be England's top scorer, captain, multiple Premier League / Cup winner and get my hands on the Champions League, all while burning the candle at both ends, I would have also jumped at the chance to leave a sinking, unambitious club in my teens and then milk it for a year when I'm past it, after spending the past 13 years winning everything there is to play for. All of this, while having one hell of a time off the pitch too. What's not to like? Who cares about Ronaldo or James Milner, or David Silva? I bet Rooney doesn't while he's a multimillionaire.

At the end of the day, football is just a job he happens to be very good at. You may be a great accountant or bricklayer, but I wouldn't hold that against you if you decided to go out on a Saturday night. Move on to the next player you want to slate, Everton fans are great at that! I'm sure they won't mind while they're pocketing £50k+ of your hard earned cash you're handing them!

From a season ticket holder who sees that fans are customers, and the sooner others notice that, the better.

Darren Murphy
50 Posted 23/05/2018 at 18:26:22
DC? Put an I and K in there... My mum's from Chicago and knows the States fairly well. Some of my clients who I train weekly come from all over. DC isn't a good place. Not just my opinion, man.

I'm up for Leighton to do a coaching job as someone else mentioned, good shout, laa!!!

Jamie Crowley
51 Posted 23/05/2018 at 19:10:39
This talking about DC in poor terms is, how do you say, bollocks!

DC is an amazing city. I lived in Georgetown and travelled all over the DC area after college and I absolutely loved it.

Yes, it has impoverished areas that are seriously neglected. Show my any city that doesn't in America or England for that matter.

DC United is trying - new stadium and they want to regain former glory. Sound familiar?

But anyone who's travelled up and down I-95 in VA and Maryland know it's absolutely gorgeous. And as a previous poster mentioned, it's a very vibrant city. If you get bored in DC you have serious personality issues.

And yes Mike Gaynes, my recollection of DC is it's very harsh on DUIs. But Wayne can take the brilliant mass transit system or hire a driver for that matter.

Good luck to Wayne Rooney in a gem of an area. I hope you travel a bit north in the Mid-Atlantic and eat crab cakes and drink craft beers until you burst. In the off season of course

Jamie Crowley
52 Posted 23/05/2018 at 19:17:22
Last word on "that" Rooney goal.

I think that may be one of my favorite all-time Everton video clips.

All of Goodison screaming in unison, "SHOOT!" before Wayne strikes the ball.

I've probably rewound and rewatched that moment 1000 times.

I'm glad he came "home". Hell, if only for that moment.

Magic.

Denis Richardson
53 Posted 23/05/2018 at 19:38:19
Mike (#43) – I'll add IMO next time if that's what you want (although I would have thought it was obvious).

I cannot imagine an over the hill player coming back to the club for primarily Kenwright's sentimentality, not wanted by the manager and earning (by far) the largest salary at the club, not creating some animosity, so you can call BS all you like. The whole point of TW is opinion – no one here sits in the dressing room, conducts negotiations, has intimate knowledge of the club – if they did they wouldn't be here in the first place.

Add to that the fact record signing £45m Sigurdsson was played out of position repeatedly to accommodate Rooney and even when out of form/out of fitness Rooney was still playing with many suggesting it may be due to his contract terms. Sure that made all the players happy as Larry.

Each to their own opinions at the end of the day and I never wanted him back. I also didn't think he would be a particularly good role model for the younger players and I'm sure his off-field antics no doubt made the club proud.

He was a great player but those days (in the prem anyway) are many many moons ago and it will a relief to get his £7.5m salary off the wage book and give it to someone better, younger, quicker, fitter and with resale value, who won't have a press circus around them.

Dave Abrahams
54 Posted 23/05/2018 at 20:10:59
John G (45), of course Wayne deserves respect for the majority of a fantastic career, mostly with Man Utd and England, adding I'll never forget the young boy who starred for Everton for two great seasons, brilliant to watch him then and very proud he played for us.

John G, that was then but I didn't want him to come back to Everton because I feared the deal wouldn't come off. I don't think it was anywhere near a success; his career was on the way down in his last two years with United for all to see. One last question, John: Would you have brought him back?

Anthony Lamb
55 Posted 23/05/2018 at 20:28:17
Just a question on the re-signing of Rooney and the ludicrous state of football. Where else would a business agree whatever terms were involved in the Rooney deal, (it being reported to be £600,000 a month?) for someone who is actually unable to do the job for which they are being paid these obscene sums?

By that, I mean the simple act of going onto a football pitch, once, perhaps twice a week, and staying on it for 90 minutes, which he has singularly failed to do during his season at Everton. It beggars belief that we still talk about “professional” football.

Add to that a simple question, such as: Who did a “due diligence” on this guy prior to signing him as regards his fitness levels, personal profile etc? — and we have another case not only of shambolic Everton but an industry pretty much beyond contempt.

Mike Gaynes
56 Posted 23/05/2018 at 20:33:05
James (#48), I think you picked a bad example in Ronaldo. He scored 44 in 43 in all comps this year. Last year it was 42 in 46. The year before it was 51 in 48. Still just as often from outside the box. So yeah, he's sitting out three or four games a year now, but he's still every bit the goal-a-game terror he always has been. (And I still say Messi is better!)

Darren (#50), I'm a Chicago native too, hope you've spent some great times there with your mum, but it's not a good place right now either.

Jamie (#52), I still have that half-field missile on my DVR, and I watch it often. I can never repay Wayne for that memory, or for the goal against Arsenal way back when.

Rob B Williams
57 Posted 23/05/2018 at 20:36:03
AL (#55), Well said, mate. I totally agree. I have read somewhere today that he is questioning Everton's willingness to let him go, FFS.

I always believed in that little word 'loyalty' but regrettably it seems it is only a one-sided sword. Loyalty went out years ago but common business sense has hopefully not – although Everton are light-years behind the learning curve!!

COYB, smell the coffee, enter the fray, and let's get this dog barking again!!

Mike Gaynes
58 Posted 23/05/2018 at 21:01:01
Denis (#53), sorry, that doesn't fly. You stated as fact that he was divisive in the dressing room. Despite the non-stop media attention on Wayne, there was not a hint of divisiveness reported or even rumoured by anyone, ever, even in the scandal sheets. Not even The Sun went there.

Now it turns out you were supposing and imagining and trying to read players' minds. Right-o... Only we don't have to imagine. All we have to do is read what they say.

Koeman: "He's been vital from the beginning, not only on the pitch but also off the pitch. He's teaching young players and it's good for the manager to have that type of player – he's experienced. And most of the other players need that experience and can learn a lot from Wayne."

Baines: "He is a big character in the dressing room for us at half-time, before the games and around the training ground. He's someone that you need in the squad. You need a handful of players who have got that personality and character. And he comes in as one of them."

Davies: "Just having him around every day is so good for the team – and for me because I can pick up little bits from him. He does (give me advice), especially when I've come off the pitch and I'm a bit unsure about my performance. He'll have a chat with me about what's happened and the game and stuff... it's good for my development.”

Calvert-Lewin: “He has helped me, Jonjoe and Tom quite a lot. To have him around with all his experience and everything he has been through in his career, as you are going through different experiences yourself, is a big help. He had played a lot more games by the time he was 21 than I have. As a young player, he is always a good man to turn to and ask for advice.”

Gueye: “I realised he's a really nice guy, super humble and who comes down to our level to reassure us, and that's why we get on in the dressing room. He jokes and we have a laugh. Now, it's as if I've played with him my entire career.”

Yeah, that animosity and unhappiness and dissension and divisiveness is just all over the place, isn't it?

You didn't want him back, thought he was over the hill and too slow and past it, and all that's fine. And yeah, he made a complete ass of himself and embarrassed the club in the Beetle. Agreed.

So if there's all that to support your view, why just make shit up?

Mark Taylor
59 Posted 23/05/2018 at 21:56:17
I didn't, think it was the worst idea in the world having Rooney back but clearly it didn't work and I agree with those who say he is not the footballer he should be at his age.

Yes he has talent, he is, I think, passionate about the game and just wants to play, it's all he knows, and I think he will also always be a blue.

But he has not been a professional in the real meaning of the word. That is why he is largely a busted flush in the Premier League and would be better competing at a lower level. I hope we recoup most of the fee, if anyone can actually decipher that from the Lukaku deal.

Steve Ferns
60 Posted 23/05/2018 at 22:28:30
Come on, guys. Rooney is the most talented player to pull on the royal blue in a long time. Sure we missed his peak years, but even the Rooney we did have showed us some magic moments.

The fact is he was our top scorer. He also had a hand in the most goals. We also did not win a game without him. Sure, Gyfli is the better of the two, particularly this calendar year, but he can't match Wayne on those stats.

We could all agree it's a mutually beneficial move, but there's no need for the embarrassing vitriol. The lad came back and gave his all. He never failed to give his best. The only issue was whether his best was good enough, and many believe that it is not. Let's not say goodbye like he's Mirallas and stealing a living.

Barry McNally
61 Posted 23/05/2018 at 22:49:58
Rooney landed in Washington.
Martin Faulkner
62 Posted 24/05/2018 at 08:17:32
Heard he's gonna do a medical, hope it doesn't last more than 60 minutes.
Rob Dolby
63 Posted 24/05/2018 at 10:08:18
Rooney was a victim of Walsh and Koeman's plan to stock pile number 10's.

Given a balanced squad he would be competing with Siggurdsson for the number 10 position. He still has quality in the final third just that as a team we don't get to play there often.

Tosun would have benefitted from having him to link up with rather than link up with Pickford.

As a football fan Wayne Rooney is one of the premier leagues best English players. Top scorer for his country and top scorer for the most successful premier league side.

He was still our top scorer playing mostly out of position.

First and second time around he has been in the right place at the wrong time.

Phil (Kelsall) Roberts
64 Posted 24/05/2018 at 10:53:52
Christine (#35).

So in your view the task of the owners of a football club is to pour in millions of their own money (which in our case they did not have) in order that we the fans can be happy.

Which other industry (and let us be fair, this is now an industry) has a business model where the customers pay small amounts and all the losses are covered by the investors? I'd say that was the case most investors would insist on putting up prices. So how about £100 a match ticket? No, I think not (especially for the dross this season) will be your answer because their role is to pay up for your pleasure.

Do we know how much of our £100m+ TV money has leeched out in directors fees and renumeration. I would take a guess at not much and probably zero. Stupid decisions made, quite a few which may have reduced the value of their shares.

Selling at the first opportunity to an asset stripper may have been your choice. Take all the new investors in English football. Man Utd making millions but in debt, Arsenal carefully managed but not spending, Chelsea and Man City backed by mega money. Liverpool a bit like Arsenal except they are almost 30 years since Champions and Spurs who have made money but struggling to compete with the mega signings and we have won the title 3 times since their last one.

And the others? Fulham, Villa, Sunderland, Leads, Newcastle. They could have bought us. Yes, we could have done better but I think I would prefer what we have had then almost all the other alternatives.

Let us wait 1 or 2 years before final judgement. I we are still badly run, poorly marketed then maybe but if we have also lost that connection and family feel and become just another soulless club then won't we all be happy?

John G Davies
65 Posted 24/05/2018 at 11:07:26
Dave,

I wasn't sure if I wanted him back or not to be honest. Part of me hoped he could be sparked into something by putting the blue shirt on.

It took me a couple of games to realise he was gone.

Mike Gaynes
67 Posted 24/05/2018 at 15:50:10
Martin (#62), good 'un.
Darren Murphy
68 Posted 24/05/2018 at 17:34:34
Lmfao, Martin; spot on, man but very accurate.
John Davies
69 Posted 24/05/2018 at 18:20:23
Steve Ferns at #60, absolutely spot on mate.
Steve Hogan
70 Posted 24/05/2018 at 18:49:18
United's top goalscorer (and England's I think), yet castigated on here for choosing to come back and play in a poor Everton team without any tactical formation and lacking in confidence for most of the season.

Also managed by two imbeciles who wouldn't know their best starting lineup if it hit them in the face. He's no angel, but who could really blame him for leaving Everton (at some stage), and winning every available domestic honour as well as Champions League success.

Simple fact, Rooney would be better for Everton with better players around him. The personal vitriol on here is unbelievable.

John Turner
71 Posted 24/05/2018 at 21:54:10
Roo,

Come to Minnesota and play for Inchy!

New Stadium opening next season!

Everyone here is Minnesota Nice.

Ian Linn
72 Posted 25/05/2018 at 02:43:37
Steve Hogan, spot on, pal.
Karen Mason
73 Posted 25/05/2018 at 11:44:12
Steve at #72. Great post!

Rooney has won just about all you can win at club level, albeit with another club. Plus, as Steve states, one of the all-time top goal scorers for his country. In addition, he has played hard and given everything on the pitch in every game through his career, and has never been a sicknote, with constant injuries. Unlike Owen and many others I could name.

He was young, hungry & ambitious to do well in his career. Why is he being castigated by many on here, for wanting that? Isn't that exactly what we are asking our club, manager and players to be?

Some have even called him a traitor. You are hypocrites at best. Even Reds supporters show him more respect than some of you.

He left us at a time when Everton had little chance of competing for major honours, which was not his fault. He was and is a very gifted player, and, as some wiser posters have observed, in the right team and with the right Manager could still be a major asset to us.

I am so disappointed in some Evertonians on here, dismissing him with no respect at all. I would bet my house on the fact that if he could have won all those trophies with the club he loves, Everton, he would never have left.

I have been incandescent reading some of the posts slagging him off. You are a disappointment with that attitude and lack of respect you have for this gifted player, who at the end of the day, is an Evertonian despite what many of you say. You have sickened me to the core.

John Davies
74 Posted 25/05/2018 at 16:22:51
Steve #72. Agree 100% mate.
John Davies
75 Posted 26/05/2018 at 11:11:27
And while I'm at it. Good on you, Karen Mason (#75).
Dave Brierley
76 Posted 26/05/2018 at 11:14:15
Steve Hogan and Karen Mason. Perfect.

Couldn't have put it better.

Chris Corn
78 Posted 26/05/2018 at 13:55:13
He still managed to be our top scorer and score the goal of the season. The £45m shelled out for Sigurdsson far outweighs this one as a poor acquisition in my opinion.
Jim Bailey
79 Posted 26/05/2018 at 15:06:51
Karen@75
One of the best posts I've read on TW.I can only echo every word you say.
Karen Mason
80 Posted 26/05/2018 at 15:55:01
Thank you. So happy to see that there are some Evertonians who still hold Rooney in great regard and respect him as a player.
Some posts have made him out to be some sort of drunken layabout who has achieved nothing. I really don't know where that attitude comes from. I have always defended Evertonians, in general, when accused of being bitter and twisted, but sadly, some of you really are, where Rooney is concerned.
He has achieved things in his life that most only dream of. Not only a winner, but captain of his country and captained one of the most famous clubs in the world. I really hope he decides to stay with us, and proves all your doubters wrong.
George Cumiskey
81 Posted 26/05/2018 at 16:27:51
Karen I agree with you on the abuse Rooney has received is out of order, but the decision to let him go is surely a football one.

Maybe it was Allardyces tactics that his form declined so rapidly, there's no getting away from it that it did.

Seeing we have got rid of the dinosaur it can't be his decision to let him go, it was a gamble which in my opinion sadly didn't work out.

Stephen Brown
82 Posted 26/05/2018 at 16:50:12
Well said Karen!

I hope Rooney stays and contributes to a successful team next year!

Ed Fitzgerald
83 Posted 26/05/2018 at 16:52:50
Karen

If Evertonians do not share your adoration of Rooney I don’t think they deserve to be castigated, others are entitled to their opinion too.. 25 goals in 100 league appearance for Everton does not make him a legend in my eyes.’He hardly played in the last few years for Mab U and I’ve seen little to convince me the season that he has a future with us.

Not that I care but his performances (and the rest of the golden generation - all overrated£ in tournaments have been lamentable.

Karen Mason
84 Posted 26/05/2018 at 22:50:37
Hi Ed (#85).

I am not asking fans to 'share my adoration' as you put it. I understand that from a footballing aspect, some fans will feel that he can no longer contribute positively to our team/club. Those opinions I respect, tho they differ from mine.

My point is that he has been abused unnecessarily by posters on ToffeeWeb. He has earned and deserves respect for what he has achieved, not the barrage of personal abuse that some have levelled at him.

While I expect that type of post on other sites, ToffeeWeb posters are, in the main, the thinking fans, not the abusive type, which is why I am so disappointed to see those types of posts on this site. Whether you are a Rooney fan or not, he deserves more respect.


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