The Everton fans in the Transfer Tavern are beginning to reluctantly accept that Wayne Rooney could be on his way out of the club this summer just one year after romantically rejoining from Manchester United.
Although there has been no official announcement regarding Rooney’s future just yet, recent reports suggest that he is destined to depart Goodison Park for a new challenge. According to the Daily Mirror, Marco Silva was disappointed by his notable dip in form during the second half of last season and is ready to sell the 32-year-old this summer to pave the way for a talented Championship star, namely James Maddison.
Norwich City’s number ten was in sensational form for the Canaries last season as he provided 11 assists and scored 15 goals from midfield from 49 appearances – a scintillating record for a 21-year-old player. With statistics as impressive as that it’s no wonder Silva is looking into the possibility of bringing him to Everton this summer and, on the evidence of his form last season, he should do everything in his power to conclude a deal.
There’s no doubt that Rooney still has plenty to offer the club even at his age and his dip in form towards the end of last season should not be overplayed. Like all top players, Rooney will recover if he remains at the club, however, that does not suggest that replacing him this summer would be a bad idea.
The arrival of Marco Silva should instigate a new era at the club in which aesthetically appealing football reigns supreme at Goodison Park, but in order to implement this he would be wise to bring in a handful of young players and wave goodbye to the older generation which Rooney belongs to in the interests of long-term progress.
Maddison is yet to experience Premier League standard football, but the progress he made last season suggests that with patience and time he will blossom into a fantastic attacking midfielder. With better quality players around him he would be well-placed to catalyse his development at Goodison Park, and if Silva deploys him within a system that suits his attributes he could become the club’s signing of the season.
Everton fans – thoughts? Let us know below!
