12/18/24
July 09, 2017
Wayne Rooney Signs Two-Year Deal with Everton: Fifteen years after he debuted with the club at age 16, Wayne Rooney is back at Everton. He arrives at Goodison Park with the scoring records for England and Manchester United and titles in the Premier League (5), Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup (3). "He loves Everton and he was desperate to come back. He is still only 31 and I don't have any doubts about his qualities," manager Ronald Koeman said.
Is this a step down? Sideways? Can someone compare this move to a US Big 4 player?
posted by BoKnows at 05:11 PM on July 09, 2017
It's like going from the New York Yankees (one of the greats of MLB history but isn't currently top of the league but is close) to the Toronto Blue Jays or Minnesota Twins (used to be a great franchise ~30 years ago, but now consistently sits in the mid-level of the league).
posted by grum@work at 05:22 PM on July 09, 2017
Thanks. Are there major financial discrepancies between the clubs as well?
posted by BoKnows at 05:57 PM on July 09, 2017
According to the reports from January 2017, ManU made more money than any football club in the world. The figure touted is 515.3 million pounds . They have massive sponsorship deals with Chevrolet and Adidas.
Everton doesn't appear in the top 20 for the world rankings. 20th spot was held by Leicester City, with 128.7 million pounds.
So yeah, there's a MAJOR financial discrepancy between the two clubs.
posted by grum@work at 07:33 PM on July 09, 2017
I assume Leicester's turnover is in large part due to payouts resulting from their winning the League last year. I suspect Everton would be a larger earning club if you look over for the past 5-10 years and likely future earning potential.
posted by holden at 11:50 PM on July 09, 2017
I have no idea how to feel about this. He left a couple of years before I started following Everton so I've only really known his as a ManU player and he definitely seems like his best years are behind him due to the wear-and-tear on his less-than-sculpted frame. But I am old now and so a romantic and want to believe he has a magic year left in him. We're in the Europa League this year and trying to push for some kind of domestic silverware as well so there's plenty of gametime to go around, I'm just not sure how well he will use it.
In terms of strikers in red who's bigger clubs no longer want them, Giroud is the guy I'd like to see come in to fill part of the Lukaku-shaped hole in our offense.
posted by yerfatma at 02:10 PM on July 10, 2017
It's a shame; I saw Rooney as one who potentially was a "legacy" player - someone who would have retired a United player. Van Gaal started Rooney's his drop when he brought in Dupay and Martial. Mourinho had him close to persona non gratis until Ibra was hurt, so he became a good insurance policy. Thought he might stay for that reason but better he go to where he'll play regularly.
I don't know if this was meant to be light-hearted or ages-long yearning to return, but he stated he has worn Everton pajamas since he went to United.
As for earnings, Everton likely would have been higher in recent seasons had it been able to qualify for Europe more than 2009-10 and 2014-15 Europa League.
posted by jjzucal at 11:12 PM on July 10, 2017
It's a double-benefit since your share of TV revenue is based on league position as well. The system is designed to ensure the rich stay rich. It makes me long for the socialists behind US sports leagues.
posted by yerfatma at 02:47 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by billsaysthis at 10:16 AM on July 12, 2017
Even at that size he kicks the ball better than the thought of Virgil van Dijk.
posted by yerfatma at 10:23 AM on July 12, 2017
Wow. That's going to be weird seeing him in the blue instead of the red.