Sam Allardyce is convinced Wayne Rooney’s future lies in a deeper role but the Everton manager believes England’s record goalscorer can prolong his career after helping his boyhood club move into the top half of the Premier League table.
Rooney has played well as Everton have recorded four wins and a draw in the Premier League since Allardyce agreed to become Ronald Koeman’s replacement last month, scoring six goals, including the third from the penalty spot in the 3-1 victory over Swansea on Monday.
The 32-year-old has been substituted in each of those matches as Allardyce seeks to keep him fresh for the Christmas period and the former England manager acknowledged that his return to form since leaving Manchester United in the summer is an indication that his career still has some way to run.
“I think the move and the timing of the move looks like it was perfect for Everton and perfect for him, and he’s proving that now,” Allardyce said. “The last year at United he wasn’t playing and he wanted to play. So he’s come to Everton and after a difficult start for everybody because of results, he’s come through that period now and we really need him, we need him at that level, and to continue at that level for the rest of the season.
“He’s had a huge career but he’s only 32, not in his mid 30s. Looking after yourself a different way when you go into your mid 30s is what it is all about now.”
With 10 Premier League goals, Rooney has already achieved his most successful campaign in front of goal since the 2014-15 season at United, when he managed 12. He signed a two-year contract with an option of a third last summer but Allardyce expects his future to be in more of a supporting role, with Everton understood to be keen on signing a striker in the January transfer window.
“He’s not a frontline player now. We know that, we both accept that and we both see that role a little deeper, but we still want to use his guile and his experience around the box,” Allardyce said. “Look at the goal he scored at Newcastle, it was a real striker’s goal. He was the only man to say: ‘I’ll put myself in the position just in case it comes off the goalkeeper.’ So the rest of the players if playing well and we get possession, create opportunities in the final third, and get Wayne in the final third, then that’s where he’s been best throughout his career.
“It doesn’t have to be as a front man, it can be in behind as a No10. He showed against West Ham it can be in the right side of a three and still have the opportunity to get in the box and score. But he’s got a big opportunity in terms of forward passing to me. He can make the cutting edge pass which we saw against Huddersfield and Liverpool and that’s an important part as well.”