Hutchison dismisses Redknapp call for Everton to re-sign academy product
By Will Butcher
Don Hutchinson has dismissed a high-profile call for Everton to re-sign Wayne Rooney by claiming it would be detrimental to the club’s next generation of stars.
Harry Redknapp believes the England captain Rooney should return to Goodison Park and look to reignite his career by inspiring the Merseyside outfit to a Champions League place.
However, former Everton midfielder Hutchinson claimed on his personal Twitter account that the return of academy product Rooney would “stunt the growth” of the club’s young stars.
Hutchinson, who played for the Toffees between 1998 and 2000, believes Rooney would be better served jetting off to the MLS like Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and Frank Lampard.
Rooney, who remains as captain of Jose Mourinho’s United, became the Old Trafford side’s leading all-time goalscorer on the weekend with his 250th strike against Stoke.
His brilliant free-kick earned United a 1-1 draw at the Britannia in the 94th minute, after Juan Mata inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net in the first half.
However, Rooney’s appearances in the first team have been limited this season, and former Tottenham boss Redknapp believes a Goodison Park move would spark life into his career.
United’s number 10 moved to Old Trafford back in the summer of 2014 from Everton, after breaking onto the Premier League scene as a teenager with a wondergoal against Arsenal.
Football Insider verdict:
Everton currently possess a whole host of young stars that have impressed after earning a place in Ronald Koeman’s side, including Tom Davies, Mason Holgate and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Hutchinson is right in that Rooney would prevent Davis and Calvert-Lewin from becoming regulars in the Toffees side for the time being. However, the signing of Rooney would take the Toffees to the next level and see them break into the top six. His experience in the game, which includes 451 Premier League appearances, would also see Everton’s youngsters learn from the England and United skipper. Scoring goals at all levels could help Calvert-Lewin become prolific in front of goal, while Davies’ ability to provide an assist as well as eye for goal could be strengthened even further by Rooney.
In other Everton transfer news, the Toffees are set to conclude a deal for this defender before the end of the week.
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