Skip to content

Wayne Rooney lost his edge before deciding to swap Everton for MLS, says Fabio Capello

Wayne Rooney
Image: Wayne Rooney left Everton for th second time in June, 2018

Former England manager Fabio Capello feels Wayne Rooney had lost some of his edge before swapping the Premier League for Major League Soccer last year.

Manchester United and England's record goalscorer plumped for a return to boyhood club Everton in July 2017 but he stayed just one season before leaving to sign for DC United.

Capello, who has exchanged occasional barbs with Rooney in the past about their time together with England, delivered a withering assessment of the striker's most recent spell at the Toffees.

Image: Fabio Capello worked with Wayne Rooney when he was in charge of England between 2008 and 2012

The Italian would not comment on England but, speaking in his role as a Laureus Ambassador, he said of Rooney: "He decided to go to America, it is new football, different football.

"It is a new experience and a lot of Italian players go there to finish off their careers.

"Rooney is a good player, but I saw the season when he returned to Everton and he didn't perform well.

"He was on the pitch but like another part of the team.

Also See:

"It was not the Rooney I remember - fighting, running - nothing. He lost everything, all his characteristics."

Around Sky