Ratcliffe questions Everton’s move for Rooney
He is not even through the door at Everton and Wayne Rooney is already creating problems, according to former Toffees star Kevin Ratcliffe.
The 31-year-old is on the verge of a romantic return to his boyhood club from Manchester United as part of the deal which is likely to see Romelu Lukaku head to Old Trafford.
But Ratcliffe does not see where Rooney fits in under manager Ronald Koeman – who is revamping his squad ahead of a tilt at getting into the top four.
Michael Keane, Jordan Pickford and Davy Klaassen are among the other players Everton have signed, but Ratcliffe suggests the move for Rooney is ruled by the heart rather than the head.
“I’m a little unsure where Wayne Rooney fits into all this. I wonder where he will break into the team? He is still a very good player but where does he get in,” he said.
“Ronald Koeman likes a pressing game. I don’t know whether Wayne can do that now. He will always do his best even if you stuck him in goal.
“He still has great awareness and is a good passer of the ball but the pace of the game that Everton play could pass him by.
“I know that Everton brought Gazza in during his twilight years and he didn’t do badly, but I think they brought him in at the time as a crowd pleaser.
“They knew they weren’t going anywhere but they needed to excite people and get people in through the turnstiles.
“That’s not the case now. Also you wonder whether this is being driven more by the club than the manager.”