Rooney tells kids to ‘just play and enjoy’ the game
WAYNE Rooney has shown he is not afraid to give youngsters a chance in Derby County’s first team.
Nineteen-year-old striker Luke Plange was handed his full debut in Saturday’s home victory over Blackpool and scored the winning goal.
Midfielder Liam Thompson, who is also 19, had started the four previous games, while 18-year-old leftback Dylan Williams lined up against Blackpool.
Louie Sibley (20), Lee Buchanan (20), Festy Ebosele (19), Louie Watson (20), Jack Stretton (20) and Osazee Aghatise (19) have all featured this season, and 19-year-old defender Eiran Cashin made his debut as a substitute deep into added time on Saturday.
Rooney broke on to the scene at a young age.
He made his senior debut for Everton at 16 and his senior international debut for England at 17.
Asked what message he sends to the young players when involving them in the first team, Rooney said: “Just play and enjoy it. Football is a game you should enjoy.
“Of course there is pressure, there is pressure on every game but as a young player you grow up playing on the street or playing with your friends or for your school, for the enjoyment of it.
“So what changes when you get paid to do it? Expectations? Yes. Pressure? Yes. But ultimately when you are on that pitch, if you enjoy it you play better.”
Rooney has again stressed the importance of installing new owners at the Rams with the January transfer window edging closer.
The Rams have been in administration three months this week and the search for a buyer remains ongoing.
At their initial press conference in September the administrators, Quantuma, said they would like to conclude matters in three months but they also said there were no guarantees.
The latest from the administrators, issued on December 3, said they expect to have “identified a preferred buyer” this month and they are continuing to make good progress and are seeking to complete a sale of the club in late January 2022 subject to the successful outcome of negotiations with key stakeholders and interested parties.
They also said: “Day-to-day work to secure the future of this historic football club continues and while there are no guarantees, we remain confident of a positive outcome for the club.”
American businessman Chris Kirchner is keen to purchase the club and he has attended three home matches in recent weeks, although the most recent statement from the administrators said: “We can confirm at this stage that exclusivity has not been granted to any individual or group and we continue to have constructive discussions with a number of interested parties.”
Rooney is keen to put his plans in place and strengthen what is a thin squad as well as sort out contracts as a number of first-teamers are out of contract at the end of the season. The deals of defender Phil Jagielka and striker Sam Baldock expire in mid-January.
“I know everyone is working extremely hard to get the right person in place but from my point of view January is coming quick,” Rooney said.
“I said a couple of weeks ago I could potentially lose players in January. Not through having to sell them, the administrators tell me that, but they could go and sign for teams abroad. Once that happens it is out of your control.
“I want someone I really I can ask the question to - can I give this player a new contract? Can I bring this player in?
“Really, I have got no-one I can go to.”