Wayne Rooney has arrived back on Merseyside with a renewed confidence.

The all-time leading England goalscorer looked to be struggling at Manchester United for much of last season but it seems his return to Everton seems to be just the tonic he was looking for.

Rooney scored the winner on the opening day of the Premier League season as the Toffees consigned Stoke City to an early defeat.

The forward came deep to help start the move that led to his goal. As the ball worked it’s way to the lefthand side, Everton’s number ten sprinted into the box hoping to help the team’s attack. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s cross was expertly met by Rooney’s head as he steered it beyond fellow England international Jack Butland.

You could see in his overjoyed celebration that the strike meant the world to Rooney. To get back at Goodison, prove some doubters wrong and prove his fans right was huge for him. It also gives him a much needed confidence boost.

Wayne was used in behind main striker Sandro alongside Davy Klaassen and they all linked up well. Rooney looked to have added freedom in his game, knowing he had Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin sweeping up behind him.

Thirty-one year old Rooney looked like a man amongst boys during much of the game. He was finding space and he was also keeping the ball. Last term he was often derided because he wasn’t getting enough touches of the ball and making enough successful passes. In the win over Stoke, he had an 86% passing success rate and he made forty-nine passes during the ninety minutes as well as five crosses.

This isn’t the same Wayne Rooney that left Goodison Park in 2003. That Wayne was was unpredictable, raw and a force of nature. He has returned coached and well drilled in winning football matches and titles.

You could see that Rooney is already influencing this Toffees squad. He can help dictate things and his experience can be vital as Everton chase a top four finish or maybe a cup.

His boss Ronald Koeman said as much after their first victory of the campaign:

“We did not sign Wayne because he will score 25 goals-a-season, no he will bring experience, winning mentality and cleverness to the team. That is the main reason we signed Wayne.”

It certainly worked wonders against Stoke as he won the man of the match award and he led the line well against Hajduk Split in the Europa League with Wayne creating a nice assist for Gueye.

But can his experience influence the really big games? 

Well on Monday night Everton take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

The blue half of Merseyside actually had the upper hand over the blue half of Manchester last term but City look to be progressing under Pep. They usually dictate games and have high numbers in their possession column.

Koeman will hope that Rooney can use his experience to help those around him, keep mistakes to a minimum and punish any mistakes that Man City may have with a goal or a key pass.

It won’t be easy as City will press him and not allow him as much space has he found against the Potters.

If the returning Wayne Rooney can produce a fine performance against a top four side like City then surely that will once again prove any doubters wrong.

It could also see him back in Gareth Southgate’s England squad and not many thought that would happen after he was left out of the international fixtures in June.

Hopefully Wayne can continue to have a positive influence on this Everton team and shine once again at Goodison. Knowing that he going to start games should see his upturn in form continue but he has to keep showing that with goals, assists and keeping possession for his club!

Posted on August 20th, 2017 by scott
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