Rooney set to leave Everton

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Wayne Rooney of Everton scores his sides first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on November 29, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Wayne Rooney of Everton scores his sides first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on November 29, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

All the rumours circulating today seem to be confirming what we have previously discussed that Wayne Rooney will leave Everton and move to the US to join MLS side DC United.

So despite conflicting stories that he was waiting to see who would be the next manager at Everton, he has apparently decided to leave anyway.

He is according to these stories currently discussing terms with the MLS side with a view to move in time for start of their new season.

As I said last week I’m not particularly worried about this development.

If Rooney doesn’t really have the commitment to the Blues to stay, as he said he did when he returned last summer, then let him go.

Rooney’s had a decent season scoring eleven goals and also contributing 2 assists.

His hat-trick against West Ham in the match just before Sam Allardyce took over as Toffees’ manager, was a terrific performance.

But that was the highpoint of his return to the Blues and after that game his contribution to Everton’s season gradually declined.

Allardyce’s dire tactics and constant chopping and changing certainly didn’t help, as highlighted by his comments about how Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson, the Blues record summer signing, couldn’t play together.

Rooney at times seemed to be trying to hard and playing with an almost frenetic approach at times to make things happen.

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When he was hauled off by Allardyce in the Merseyside derby at Goodison that sparked a decline in their  relationship.

Almost by accident though, with Sigurdsson’s injury in the game against Brighton, Rooney became more important as the only really creative source in Everton’s team.

But even so Rooney’s influence was on the wane and the Toffee’s season petered out as the team settled into mid-table mediocrity.

So if the 32-year-old has the chance to play in the States before he finally retires, as so many other fine Premier League players have done before him, then that seems fine to me.

Next: Should Arteta re-join Blues?

The Blues need to concentrate on moving forward building a young, hungry team that will provide the foundation for future success.