World-class Rooney will bring a leader’s mentality, says Bolasie
LONDON: Everton forward Yannick Bolasie is eager to learn from the Premier League club’s new “world class” signing Wayne Rooney and is relishing the extra competition in the side after the club’s recent transfer spree, the 28-year-old has said.
Former England captain Rooney, who is the record scorer for the national team, returned to Everton after 13 years with Manchester United and was manager Ronald Koeman’s sixth signing in the current transfer window.
Winger Bolasie played just 15 matches for Everton last season after sustaining a knee injury in December and will miss the start of the next campaign, but is keen to return to action and learn from the experienced England forward.
“There are some top quality players that have come in, especially Rooney, who is world class. He will bring a leader’s mentality and it will be good to learn off him,” Democratic Republic of Congo international Bolasie said.
“The signings we have made have definitely made the team stronger. The competition for places is going to be strong, but that is what I live for and I am looking forward to fighting for my place. It will bring another level to my game.”
Everton are in Tanzania on a pre-season tour.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will not be influenced by their league rivals’ moves in the transfer market and will stick to their own signing plans, manager Jurgen Klopp has said.
Klopp’s side have added winger Mohamed Salah and England Under-20 striker Dominic Solanke so far, but their spending has been put in the shade by local rivals Everton, who have splashed out more than £100million.
Manchester United and City, as well as Arsenal, have also spent heavily, but Klopp has urged his team’s supporters not to get caught up in what the opposition are doing.
“We cannot buy players because other teams buy players,” said Klopp after his team’s 4-0 win over Tranmere Rovers in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.
“We do our business as good as we can do it and we are convinced about the way we are going.”
Egypt international Salah needs to finalise work permit issues before he can play, but Solanke made his debut in the friendly and Klopp was full of praise for the U20 World Cup winner. – Reuters