Wayne Rooney is ready to fulfil his Euro dream with Everton… and the Toffees will reap the benefits
Roo's worldwide profile could help club pay his wages in shirt sales and sponsorship - especially with Europa League success
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WAYNE ROONEY could earn Everton enough money to cover his wages thanks to shirt sales and sponsorship.
And Goodison Park’s money men will surely capitalise on the fact the former Manchester United and England captain has 15MILLION followers on Twitter.
But, as the striker prepares to realise his boyhood dream of playing for Everton in Europe, it is his followers in the dressing room that have already convinced Ronald Koeman he was right to bring Roo home.
The 31-year-old Scouser faces Slovakian minnows Ruzomberok in the Europa League at home tonight — his first competitive game for the Toffees in 13 years.
And boss Koeman is delighted with how England and United’s all-time top scorer has started, especially with the way he is setting an example to his younger team-mates.
The Dutchman said: “What I really like is his ambition, in training and showing things to the young lads.
“He explains things and has discussions in training about positions. It is how I expected it.
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“Wayne’s an example about winning titles and quality.”
Rooney was seen as a spent force by the time United gave him a £10million golden goodbye.
His return to the blue half of Merseyside and the £24m package that includes a two-year, £160,000-a-week deal and two £4m bonuses, was seen by some as just a cynical marketing ploy.
But Rooney has already started repaying some of that cash with two goals in three friendlies before tonight’s third qualifying round first-leg clash.
Koeman said in the months leading up to Roo’s return that the decision to sign him was a “no-brainer”.
And he did not have to scratch his head to know whether he was right or wrong.
He stressed: “I’m really happy. I met Wayne to talk about his situation and what he showed is what I like and what we need. I have no doubts about his quality. He is used to winning titles. His spirit is back at Everton and it was an easy decision to advise the board to sign Wayne.”
While Roo makes his Everton European debut, Koeman will also blood new signings keeper Jordan Pickford and defender Michael Keane, who have never played in continental competition.
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The Everton manager has spent £91.9m this summer and brought in £85.6m by selling Romelu Lukaku for £75m to United and Gerard Deulofeu back to Barcelona for £10.6m.
Ruzomberok finished third in Slovakia’s Fortuna Liga and were shock winners over Norway’s Brann Bergen in the last round.
The winners of this two-legged tie will progress into the Europa League proper.
And Koeman is determined to avoid a banana skin and go into next week’s second leg in control.
He added: “Normally we are the stronger team but we have to be prepared.”
EVERTON (likely line-up): Pickford, Holgate, Keane, Williams, Baines, Schneiderlin, Gueye, Klaassen, Dowell, Sandro, Rooney