Your move, Wayne Rooney

With reports suggesting Manchester United have already reached an agreement with Real Madrid for the services of the Columbian playmaker, James Rodriguez, Wayne Rooney’s future as a Red Devil hangs in the balance. As part of a mega-deal with Adidas, the 25-year-old Rodriguez is rumoured to be contractually obligated to wear the number 10 jersey, currently occupied by Rooney at United, for any team he plays.

Whether rumours of James Rodriguez’s move to Manchester United are true or not, it would represent a “Rooney upgrade”, meaning England’s and the Red Devil’s all-time leading goal scorer is no longer worth his reported weekly wage of £260 000 (R4 397 328). So where does he go? He could get on the M62 highway and leg it back to Everton, the club that made him, and retire as a cult hero of two of England’s grandest football establishments. Rooney has been a household name ever since he beat Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman from 35 yards for his boyhood club in October 2002, making him the Premier League’s then youngest ever goal scorer at 16 years and 11 months. Rooney might not have as much gas in the tank (or hair on his head) as he did back then, but he would offer plenty of experience and know-how at the Toffees. The club wouldn’t be able to match his wages, but he would find more game time and would bleed royal blue blood whenever he gets an opportunity. Then again, Rooney could decide the game hasn’t made him wealthy enough and could opt to milk what’s left of his football reserves in China or the USA. There would be no shortage of club owners in both wealthy leagues that would relish the opportunity to secure such a marquee signing and besides, who would begrudge the man for taking the easy road to his retirement? Or Rooney could choose a third path, one less travelled and filled with more risk, but also with the potential to change the course of English football for generations. Previous United managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Louis van Gaal toyed with the idea of turning the hustle-bustle striker into a deep lying midfielder and he could fulfil his potential in this position, as well as extend his career, by crossing the Channel and seeing out his days in a continental team. The pace of the Spanish, Italian and French leagues are not as frenetic as in England, and would allow Rooney more time on the ball. Sure, the technical side of the game in these leagues are arguably more refined than that of their English rivals, but that shouldn’t be an issue for Rooney, who can still gather the ball from deep and ping a 30 metre pass. Rooney’s only hope of a future in the sport is in this position. Fifteen years at the top has taken its toll on his once inexhaustible engine and has blunted his piercing drives. He’s never had the height to transform into a number 9 the way Cristiano Ronaldo has, nor the clinical finishing prowess of Sergio Aguero to compensate for his diminished pace. But as a midfielder, Rooney wouldn’t be burdened by a poor goal tally and he wouldn’t be expected to deliver the final ball or beat a man on the wing. He has the ability to act as a midfield general; recycling the ball and linking defence with offence. It must be said that I am not suggesting the likes of Juventus, Real Madrid or PSG would be interested. But it’s at a mid-table team where Rooney could flourish. At the likes of Sampdoria, Espanyol or Rennes, he could secure regular football and experience something wholly new to most English footballers. Of the 23 players who represented England at last year’s Euro’s, only goalkeeper Joe Hart ( Torino) played his football outside of the Premier League. If Rooney were to follow in the footsteps of David Beckham, Gary Lineker and Kevin Keegan, he might prove to young players that the leap across the Channel is not as daunting as it may appear. The knowledge he brings would be invaluable and would only add to the collective intelligence at the Three Lions. Often criticised for a one dimensional football philosophy, England would show the world that one of their modern greats was willing to climb one or two rungs down the ladder in a distant league. Once unfairly compared to Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, there are many who see Rooney as something of a let-down. Despite his decorated career and impressive stats (198 Premier League goals, second only to Alan Shearer’s 260, with 101 assists), here is a player that will largely be remembered for what he could (and therefore, should) have become. With one bold move, Rooney could change his legacy, and that of his nation, forever.