ROO: I CAN STILL CUT IT IN THE TOP FLIGHT
WAYNE Rooney feels he has unfinished business in the Premier League. England’s greatest goalscorer is convinced he can pull on his boots once more in the top-flight – and be successful.
Rooney, 34, will begin the latest chapter in his illustrious career in the New Year after agreeing to sign up for a stint in the Championship as a player-coach with Derby County.
After taking a dig at former Everton boss Sam Allardyce who sidelined him at Everton, Rooney said that while automatic promotion looks a long shot, a spot in the play-offs should not be beyond the Rams.
And, should his presence spark a revival, Rooney said he will look to play again among the elite.
Asked about his Premier League days, the striker said: “So, given the right team around me, I probably could. I still felt I could do it at Everton – but other people made decisions on that.
“But it’s important to understand football. Football’s not about running around. It’s about using your brain. It’s about using your head to play the game and I feel I can still do that.
“The way you create time and space, knowing the game by putting yourself in the right positions. Look at the number of times we have seen young players with real speed – but they don’t know how to use it properly.
“I feel those facts get lost with me – perhaps unfairly – because I don’t score as many goals.
“It’s a shame.with respect to my legs, I’m not the quickest player – but in my head I am.
“Obviously, the two clubs I’ve played for in the top flight have been Everton and Manchester United.and I’m a Derby player now – and hopefully I can get there with them and they can become the third club if I do.”
Rooney scored 23 goals in 48 appearances for DC United during a two-season stint in the MLS.
How does he feel the standard compares?
He said: “The MLS is competitive. I feel it is a similar standard as the Championship. The difference is that I think the squads are stronger here.
“But there are better individual players over there.”
As for the future, part of Rooney’s deal is to further his coaching career.
He is undertaking his
A-licence and will then undergo his Prolicence with the English
Football Association which will complete his formal education.