Everton Youngster Reveals Impact of Returning Wayne Rooney on Toffees' Local Lads
Everton youngster Kieran Dowell has championed the decision to bring Wayne Rooney back to the football club and revealed the veteran is already helping to spur him (and the other homegrown stars) on.
Rooney rejoined his boyhood club after a 13-year stint at Manchester United after being gradually phased out of the starting XI by Jose Mourinho.
The 31-year-old has already turned out of the Toffees in pre-season and scored in his first game back.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Kieran Dowell of Everton applauds the fans during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Norwich City at Goodison Park on May 15, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)
Chris Brunskill/GettyImages
One man that has also been featuring for Everton is 19-year-old Dowell, who says that Rooney is helping to bring the best out of him.
After putting in an eye-catching performance against FC Twente, he said as quoted by the club's official site: "He’s been quality. As a local lad as well, he’s really taken to us young local lads and really helped us.
"Even sitting next to me in the first half, he was giving me tips before I came on, so it’s really good to have someone like him in the squad.
DE LUTTE, NETHERLANDS - JULY 19: Wayne Rooney of Everton runs with the ball during a preseason friendly match between FC Twente and Everton FC at Sportpark de Stockakker on July 19, 2017 in De Lutte, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
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"It was great playing with Wazza and Davy [Klaassen] in the second half, and with Cuco Martina overlapping down the right, I thought it worked really well."
Dowell will be hoping for a chance to shine next season, with Ronald Koeman already having placed his faith in youth in the form of Ademola Lookman, Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert-Lewin during his time as boss at Goodison Park.
The midfielder has been amongst the goals in pre-season, but he added: "It’s a case of just getting more match fitness on Saturday and then the next game is around the corner next Thursday [versus Genk], so we’re looking forward to it."
