You can shout at Rob Shepherd by joining his online forum on Sunday between 11am and noon. He'll be discussing all the weekend's big talking points - and you can tell him what you think of Wayne Rooney.
ROONEY ISN'T WORTH A LOT
THAT Real Madrid have been stalking Cristiano Ronaldo rather than Wayne Rooney is depressing.
Why? Because it means the boy wonder billed as the player to make English football great again has, so far, failed to justify the hype.
The Spanish giants should be tempting Rooney rather than Ronaldo, shouldn’t they?
Yet, I doubt if Rooney’s name was even on the radar when the Madrid grandees targeted the man they believe will make their team better and I suspect, more crucially, flog more shirts worldwide.
Fernando Torres. Perhaps. Cesc Fabregas. Possibly. Steven Gerrard. Maybe. Kaka . . . but Rooney? Who?
Miles
That represents a huge step backwards for a player who, shortly after his break through as a 16-year-old prodigy at Everton. was variously described as English football’s Maradona . . . perhaps even Pele.
According to the script Rooney should by now be the hottest player on the planet. Yet no lesser observer than Pele has expressed what I have long been worried about regarding Rooney.
The kid, now he’s reached 22, is miles away from being the main man — even at Manchester United let alone on the international stage.
Last week in a meaningless but nonetheless high-profile money-making pre-season friendly against the Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa, Rooney had to be subbed 20 minutes before the end.
That was to save him from getting himself sent off after pathetically lashing out at at least two opponents
As Pele put it: “I like Wayne Rooney but he hasn’t reached the peak of Euro 2004.
“He had two or three good years then just lost a little in his performance.
“When he is tangling with opponents, Rooney has to learn how to defend himself not attack the opponent.”
Who am I to argue against the great man?.
Accepted, part of Rooney’s angst is that now he’s filled out physically, the balance has tipped more toward brute and away from the balletic.
Also I suspect he is becoming increasingly frustrated at playing out of position, often operating from the wing. And unlike Ronaldo, Rooney is not a winger.
Sacrificed
His United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has candidly admitted as much.
He said only a few days ago: “We need to define Wayne’s role better.
“And I have to take a bit of responsibility for that.
“We’ve played him wide and in other positions but he has never complained.
“I think he has sacrificed himself for the team.
“But if you ask me his best position is through the middle or just tracking behind.”
Absolutely. Good for Rooney that he is a team man.
But is that because he is hiding behind hard work? Great players don’t do donkey work. The truth is Rooney should score more goals.
Certainly for United last season he was way behind Ronaldo on the goal front and only outscored Carlos Tevez 20 to 19.
Yet when it comes to England, Rooney is uppermost in Fabio Capello’s thoughts as the spearhead for the coming World Cup campaign.
Apparently, Capello has even considered giving Rooney the captains’s armband.
Given Rooney’s regular outbursts that might sound crazy but maybe such responsibility might help him fulfil his potential.
I suspect when the bid is high enough, United will sell Ronaldo to Madrid then buy the sublime Dimitar Berbatov for less than half the price from Spurs.
When the dust settles United will give Rooney Ronaldo’s free role.
Then we might at last see whether or not Wayne can rock the world.
As a result of all of that, two years down the line when England, let’s pray, are in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup finals, Pele will have no option but to declare that Rooney rather than Ronaldo is the world’s best player — with no reservations.
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DWAIN CRITICS MISS POINT
DWAIN CHAMBERS is demonised, banned and tossed into the bin despite attempts to redeem himself.
Yet at the same time the holier-than-thou mob will still bow to Olympic athletes many of whom, I suspect, have become so cunning they now reject performance-enhancing substances in favour of stem cell-enhanced genetic surgery.
For me, with all the other political issues that surround Beijing 2008, the whole thing stinks as much as Moscow 1980 or Munich 1936.
I don’t like the arrogance of Chambers. But think. If you deny a street boy, who insists he has changed, a second chance then it would seem to suggest to bad boys that, if there is no chance of redemption, then why change?
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CRICKET'S TEST OF CHARACTER
GRAHAM GOOCH is right on length when he says Test matches are on a sticky wicket.
A sport that lasts five days, with no assurance of a winner, is so often weather-affected and — apart from playing the Aussies — does not mean much to the general population, is out of touch.
More people tend to fish, go to the greyhounds or play bingo.
But that Twenty20 thing? Now that’s, er, 20-20 vision.
They hit lots of sixes and fours, and the stumps get knocked over.
Hey, and get this: They have a winner within three hours!
Beats baseball by a million home runs. Don’t knock the New Cricket.
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PADRAIG'S SO RYDE ABOUT MONTY
OPEN winner Padraig Harrington reckons that whatever Colin Montgomerie’s ranking he should still be part of the Ryder Cup squad.
Just like that last-day approach shot to the 17th green to ensure triumph at Royal Birkdale, Paddy, spot on
sepp your full of c**p.
Posted by: hugh bradley | July 27, 2008 at 01:20 AM | Report this comment
Serious injuries,being played out of position and off field problems have contributed to Rooney's downfall in the last few years. He's still a very good player and I still believe he can become one of the best in the World but he needs to stay fit for a long time and be played in an attacking,central position if that is to happen.
Posted by: Fergus Sira-Lexon | July 27, 2008 at 01:33 AM | Report this comment
Apart from the proviso from Scolari that if you want to go far in football you do the opposite of what Pele says, the only people comparing Rooney to him were the usual hyped-up English journos.
On Chambers, he can have his second chance, but it can't be in athletics, because if we go soft on dopers, the sport is dead, and it's dying already (look at the apathy towards the olympics).
The BOA's principled stand has in fact given the sport a real shot in the arm...
Posted by: tracey | July 27, 2008 at 01:42 AM | Report this comment
I agree with you Fergus, you have to play Rooney in his position which is in the centre of attack. He will then shine and show his true skills to the world. He is a good player but Fergie nds to stop shoving him around different positions. In respect of his defending or lack of defending skill, maybe he should do some defending drills with Rio in training because he cant defend and will always make some bad and dangerous tackles. I don't know about captaining England, think he has a long way to go before he puts on the armband. Beckham did well and improved his behaviour on the pitch but Rooney is far more agressive and bad tempered on the pitch than Beckham was.
Posted by: Carmina | July 27, 2008 at 02:52 AM | Report this comment
RM doesn't want Rooney because they know Rooney would never leave United for RM.
Rooney is a real red devil.
Maybe he didn't scored but those goals (most of them) came because of him.
Posted by: zack | July 27, 2008 at 05:54 AM | Report this comment
it is not only Rooney that is grossly overrated, comparing a raw talent with Maradona and Pele is for me a taboo which has lived with the poor fela ever since.
Posted by: femi Arojo | July 27, 2008 at 07:16 AM | Report this comment
I couldn't agree more on the comment about Dwain Chambers. If people are not given another chance in life especially, when they have evidently rejected their past, then we might as well start a revolution in building more prisons.
Posted by: Emeka Aneke | July 27, 2008 at 09:14 AM | Report this comment
Pele would not be talking about Rooney if he were not a great player. He does so much for the team apart from scoring goals. Look at United's results when Rooney is not playing. He disclinary record is greatly improved.
Posted by: Peter evans | July 27, 2008 at 09:43 AM | Report this comment
Please let's stop all this sympathy nonsense for Drwain Chambers. He can go on running anywhere he wants only not at the Olympics what's so bad about that. He knew the risks when he went and took drugs but still did it anyway know he's got to pay the price. His case will act as a deterant to others which is what we all want. Right?
Posted by: Ben | July 27, 2008 at 10:03 AM | Report this comment
People comment saying Rooney plays out of position most of the time, " The saying jack of all trades master at none", Fergie's still trying to find his best position, er,.....what about in Goal Fergie.
Posted by: Clynt | July 27, 2008 at 10:04 AM | Report this comment
I totally agree Mr Rooney was going to be the greatest ever footballer but fell at the second hurdel lured by bucket fulls of cash and super star status, he could not handle it, we still see the odd flash of what he could have been but they are far and few and getting rearer, no, fast becomeing just another failed ENGLAND player who never lived up to the Hype, be honest if he never played again would we miss him?
Posted by: geoff riches | July 27, 2008 at 10:12 AM | Report this comment
I know what you mean Shep. If you follow pub level gossip instead of looking at the facts you might think that.
Firstly, Rooney was more important to united's league record last year than ronaldo. The games united dropped points in where when rooney wasnt there, not ronaldo. Secondly, he hasnt been outshone by an ordinary player, this is someone who has scored more than 40 goals FROM THE WING! I think most would agree that Ryan Giggs is one of the great wingers, but he was lucky to score 10 a season in his pomp. As Cesc Fabregas said at the beginning of the last season 'I was playing just as well last year but now I'm scoring goals everyone notices - it's bizarre'. Goals are great, and capture everyone's attention quite rightly, but they are not everything as Torres has proved - he scored more goals from open play than anyone playing in a real league in europe and won nothing, much to my angst as a liverpool fan.
No, Rooney was critical to united last season, it's just he didnt score a freakish amount of goals like ronaldo. Not something to be slated for surely? His temperament, however, milked by Darth Ferg's 'the world is against us' formenting, is a cause for concern as it has cost England a couple of major championships. Stick to asking why Rooney hasnt matured - could it be the Dark Lord by any chance? He doesnt exactly encourage humility does he?
Posted by: Andrew | July 27, 2008 at 10:26 AM | Report this comment
Rob you have got it spot on - Rooney was developing nicely at Everton and I genuinely think he has never really reached the heights he did in 2004 and he has plainly failed to live up to the hype and expectation that surrounded him in his early football years. Yes there is no doubt he is a 'good' footballer - however to be placed in the same bracket as Pele and Maradonna is a joke.
I also think that Ferguson and United have some part to play in the fact that he has never fulfilled the rich potential he showed in his earlier years. Instead he has become an over aggressive player who's temperament has to be seriously questioned when put under pressure. Rather than rise above it, Rooney often chooses to react in the wrong way. On the international stage when playing for England - he seems to have gone into freefall and I cannot recall him playing a half decent game for England post Euro 2004.
Maybe Capello can do what Ferguson so far has failed to do - and turn the boy wonder into a genuine world class great.
Posted by: Pete | July 27, 2008 at 10:53 AM | Report this comment
Shepp, 20 goals is not a bad return for a 22 year old player. He could be late peaking like Zidane or Ronaldiho. Clearly the boy has talent and I'm for one happy that he is overshadowed by Ronaldo, as until your article he was being left to it. There is no need to create unnecessary pressure old fruit.
Posted by: Cude | July 27, 2008 at 11:25 AM | Report this comment
Mr Shepherd you have got it wrong even if madrid wanted rooney he wouldnt go ther is no chance of that happening and all clubs know this everyone knows absolutely no chance of him going antwhere, thats why no one makes a offer because this is where he belongs he knows it too he loves his country and he loves his football. And what ever happened to patience just because he hasnt hit the heights yet it doesnt mean he wont you can see the huge potential in him some people learn faster than others this is fact hes a monster of a player he belongs to british football hes not cristiano ronald, he's wayne''marvel''rooney.
Posted by: Nezir Tepe | July 27, 2008 at 11:29 AM | Report this comment
Rooneys still a great player at United , not sure about England yet though ?
Posted by: Liverpool fan | July 27, 2008 at 11:50 AM | Report this comment
Hugh.
As in Sepp Blatter ? I quite agree old chap.
Posted by: shep | July 27, 2008 at 11:59 AM | Report this comment
Tracey :
It was Eriksson who made the Pele comparison when first called him up for England at 17.
Re : Chambers A second chance should mean a second chance........as he found with rugby league you can't just switch sports.
Posted by: shep | July 27, 2008 at 12:11 PM | Report this comment
Rooney doesnt live up to his hype and shepp has nailed it I think. He is a striker that doesnt score goals with the best midfield in europe playing behind him what would he do with a team like blackburn no offence? But he has a great long shot and is good linking play and tackling why not play him in scholses role perfect for him because rooney is not an out an out goal scorer corners free kicks in his own half rooney defends them so keep from the front line of attack and i think you have a got a perfect role for him. But hay what do i know.
Posted by: dave best | July 27, 2008 at 12:13 PM | Report this comment
Fergus made some good points but I didn't go as far as to suggest Rooney has suffered a "downfall".....he just hasn't fulfilled the potential or expectations.
Posted by: shep | July 27, 2008 at 12:13 PM | Report this comment
Zack make a good point about Rooney as a provider but even Capoello is saying he needs to score more goals.
Posted by: shep | July 27, 2008 at 12:15 PM | Report this comment
Ben,
Take your point but he did serve a ban as Rio Ferdinand did for missing a test ....but he's not barred from World Cup's etc is he ?
Posted by: shep | July 27, 2008 at 12:17 PM | Report this comment
Andrew,
Very well put mate. Yes I agree goals aren't the be all and all with Rooney because as you so rightly point out he does make a massive contribution in other areas.
But clearly as you seem to conclude he is not now the player so many thought or hoped he would be and maybe you have hit the nail on the head just why regarding Fergie's attitude.
PS : Any ideas for next week's column ?
Posted by: shep | July 27, 2008 at 12:25 PM | Report this comment
Geoff Riches;
That is precisely my fear.
Posted by: shep | July 27, 2008 at 12:27 PM | Report this comment
Cude,
Yes still time for Rooney to move up a notch. Let's hope so, eh ? Trouble is he's enjoyed superstar status for so long he probably thinks he's up there in the same lass as Zidane or Ronaldinho
Posted by: shep | July 27, 2008 at 12:38 PM | Report this comment