LET’S CELEBRATE WAYNE, HE’S ONE OF OUR GREATEST
WHAT an unbelievable goal! I’ve watched several replays of Wayne Rooney’s strike against West Ham and it keeps getting better.
I had the pleasure and privilege to train and play with him for England and he’d do things in training that would blow your mind. To do what he did on Wednesday — and pull it off so spectacularly — just shows how ridiculous his talent is.
The more I’ve seen it, though, the more my mind is made up that Wayne has never got the credit he deserves. I watched Everton’s game at Southampton last week and, when he was substitute, a caption went across the TV screen that said ‘most away goals in the Premier League’.
Everton were struggling and I started thinking to myself: ‘Hang on? Why is he sitting on the bench?’ I understand his form has dipped at times but, honestly, I don’t know why he hasn’t been celebrated more. When he retires people will say how good he was but it will be too late then. He’s scored 331 goals for club and country in his career and the last three against West Ham showed he can still do it. He should still be the main man, but there is talk of him dropping into a deeper position and he would slot in there without a problem.
I loved playing alongside him, as he’s so clever and his passing is as good as I have seen — he’d put it on a plate for you from 60 yards. The night in 2003 when he played for England against Turkey when he was 17 was one of the best things I have ever seen.
But he’s not just a great player. He’s a top lad. People who don’t know him have this perception but, trust me, he is hilarious, such good company.
During camps with England, there would be times when everyone was just trying to relax but Wayne would be there, bouncing around, always wanting to be involved in anything that was going on. If the players wouldn’t budge, he’d head off with the kit men. It felt like he never slept!
If ever the mood was low, someone would say, ‘What’s Wazza up to?’ and you’d go and find him. Just being around him gave everyone a lift. He really is one of a kind. We’d do well to remember that.