Three ways Everton could line up with Wayne Rooney
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Wayne Rooney has made a sensational return to boyhood club Everton after 13 years away.
The 31-year-old England international left Goodison Park in 2004 to embark on an unprecedented period of success with Manchester United.
During his time at Old Trafford, where he lifted 16 different pieces of silverware, he’d ultimately feature across 559 matches registering 253 goals which makes him the Red Devils all-time leading goal scorer.
His comeback, penning a two-year deal, presents some intriguing questions notably his role under Ronald Koeman in the forthcoming season and beyond.
Koeman, who is preparing to take charge of his second season as Toffees manager, will understand the sentimentality behind his transfer though will be pragmatic in his use of the Liverpudlian.
Under his auspices the Toffees have predominantly played a 4-2-3-1, on no fewer than 15 occasions last season, but the Dutchman has shown a tactical flexibility – fielding a total of eight different systems across his first 41 matches in charge – and as far as Rooney is concerned he can expect to play in at least three different roles next season inside Koeman’s favoured starting formation.
The 31-year-old England international left Goodison Park in 2004 to embark on an unprecedented period of success with Manchester United.
During his time at Old Trafford, where he lifted 16 different pieces of silverware, he’d ultimately feature across 559 matches registering 253 goals which makes him the Red Devils all-time leading goal scorer.
His comeback, penning a two-year deal, presents some intriguing questions notably his role under Ronald Koeman in the forthcoming season and beyond.
Koeman, who is preparing to take charge of his second season as Toffees manager, will understand the sentimentality behind his transfer though will be pragmatic in his use of the Liverpudlian.
Under his auspices the Toffees have predominantly played a 4-2-3-1, on no fewer than 15 occasions last season, but the Dutchman has shown a tactical flexibility – fielding a total of eight different systems across his first 41 matches in charge – and as far as Rooney is concerned he can expect to play in at least three different roles next season inside Koeman’s favoured starting formation.
Return to number nine
Rooney, the club’s most successful youth product this century, broke through as an all-action number nine. He’d make his first-team debut for Everton in early 2002 before attaining greater attention following a last-minute winning goal against Arsenal in October of that year.
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His stunning effort ended the Gunners 30-match unbeaten run, and saw him become the Premier League’s youngest goal scorer five days before his 17th birthday, a record that has since been eclipsed by former England teammate James Milner and fellow Evertonian James Vaughan.
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A role Rooney knows like the back of his hand, it’s not one he’s been playing on a frequent basis of late, but if called upon you’d expect him to do his darnedest in playing right up top – even if he’s showing the wear and tear of starting young – and adding to the 17 goals he’s already scored in the blue shirt of his boyhood club.
As things stand it’s realistic to imagine him supporting Everton’s young centre-forward Sandro Ramirez.
Rooney, the club’s most successful youth product this century, broke through as an all-action number nine. He’d make his first-team debut for Everton in early 2002 before attaining greater attention following a last-minute winning goal against Arsenal in October of that year.
image: http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/EVERTON-1.jpg
His stunning effort ended the Gunners 30-match unbeaten run, and saw him become the Premier League’s youngest goal scorer five days before his 17th birthday, a record that has since been eclipsed by former England teammate James Milner and fellow Evertonian James Vaughan.
image: http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/GettyImages-1548353-e1499612985952.jpg
A role Rooney knows like the back of his hand, it’s not one he’s been playing on a frequent basis of late, but if called upon you’d expect him to do his darnedest in playing right up top – even if he’s showing the wear and tear of starting young – and adding to the 17 goals he’s already scored in the blue shirt of his boyhood club.
As things stand it’s realistic to imagine him supporting Everton’s young centre-forward Sandro Ramirez.
The number 10 role
Rooney, the club’s prodigal son, in recent years has essentially become a ‘shadow striker’ – a term coined by the legendary Ajax manager Rinus Michels for someone who plays between the midfield and forward lines.
image: http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Everton-2-1.jpg
As a deep-lying forward or as a number 10 for United, the veteran Rooney managed 85 goals and a further 54 assists for his teammates across 158 matches, and is the position he feels most comfortable in, though will have competition from another summer recruit Davy Klaassen.
Rooney, the club’s prodigal son, in recent years has essentially become a ‘shadow striker’ – a term coined by the legendary Ajax manager Rinus Michels for someone who plays between the midfield and forward lines.
image: http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Everton-2-1.jpg
As a deep-lying forward or as a number 10 for United, the veteran Rooney managed 85 goals and a further 54 assists for his teammates across 158 matches, and is the position he feels most comfortable in, though will have competition from another summer recruit Davy Klaassen.
A new home in central midfield?
However, there is a third option for Koeman, and it won’t be out wide considering the Dutch tactician prefers his wingers blistering with pace.
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Rooney, who is less mobile than he before, was mooted towards the end of his time at Old Trafford as eventually being converted into a central midfielder.
His passing ability, which hasn’t always been consistent, is one area of his game that has seen the most plaudits, last season in the Premier League he averaged 30.44 passes per game with a pass accuracy of 84%.
In a season where Everton will be fighting on four fronts – suspensions and injuries being a factor – it’s another role Koeman could very well consider if he’s light on bodies.
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However, there is a third option for Koeman, and it won’t be out wide considering the Dutch tactician prefers his wingers blistering with pace.
image: http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/everton-3-1.jpg
Rooney, who is less mobile than he before, was mooted towards the end of his time at Old Trafford as eventually being converted into a central midfielder.
His passing ability, which hasn’t always been consistent, is one area of his game that has seen the most plaudits, last season in the Premier League he averaged 30.44 passes per game with a pass accuracy of 84%.
In a season where Everton will be fighting on four fronts – suspensions and injuries being a factor – it’s another role Koeman could very well consider if he’s light on bodies.
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