Wayne Rooney comments on Everton recent form under Rafa Benitez
Derby County boss Wayne Rooney has reacted to the recent performances from Everton, insisting much more is expected from them given their current players.
The Toffees academy graduate has been constantly linked with taking over from Rafa Benitez at Goodison Park, and Alan Shearer has asked him on The Athletic how he feels about his old side’s current struggles.
Everton have found themselves in the second half of the table all season, and not even recent Covid-enforced postponements changed their fortune, with weekend’s match against Brighton resulting in a loss.
Rooney told The Athletic: “With Rafa coming in during the summer, there was obviously a split among the fans because of his connections to Liverpool. They started the season really well but they’ve hit a poor run of form.
“What’s probably done them a favour is the last three games getting postponed (we spoke before Sunday’s loss to Brighton). It takes a bit of pressure off and it allows the lads who have been injured the chance to come back and get fit.
“The real challenge now is how those lads do when they come back because, for everyone looking from the outside, that group of players needs to be doing better.”
Future Toffees boss?
Pundits and journalists have linked Rooney with returning to Everton, and with Derby at the risk of relegating from the Championship after going into administration, it is believed that the former England international striker could be open to moving to the Premier League.
Benitez has only managed to pick up five wins so far, losing nine games and drawing the other four, and his side are currently three places above the drop zone.
With a relegation battle a distinct possibility, it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard’s future on Merseyside is safe.
Farhad Moshiri will likely want to appoint a big name as his sixth manager if it comes to that, but Rooney could also emerge as an option.
He miraculously kept the Rams up last term on the final day of the campaign, and Everton fans would be more receptive about having him in their dugout.
A move this January is not expected as the club want to back their manager in the window and bring in signings to strengthen the squad, but they could be forced to show Rafa the exit door if nothing has changed come February or March and if they find themselves fighting for survival.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are plotting January loan-to-buy bid for centre-mid hailed by Jack Grealish last month.
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