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One of the unsaid bonuses of bringing Wayne Rooney back to Everton was the effect he would have on the Everton dressing room which is chock full of young faces who looked up to the England legend as they grew up.
The Toffees young striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is one of the youngsters who is already reaping the benefits of learning from the veteran. The forward was just shy of his sixth birthday when Rooney made his maiden Everton senior team appearance in August 2002, but now the two are teammates with the younger man looking to imbibe all he can.
“I suppose it’s a little bit surreal but he’s my team-mate now and I’ve got to view him as a team-mate.
“He’s a great person to learn off, if you look at what he’s achieved in his career so far. For a young striker like me it’s going to be good to learn from him and just try to pick up little bits.
“After all the goals he’s scored and what he’s achieved, it’s going to be good to have someone like that around. I don’t think there’s anyone better, really.”
Calvert-Lewin has already been asking Rooney for advice, despite having just lifted the Under-20s Wold Cup earlier this summer.
“Wayne has spoken to me and Ademola Lookman a fair bit.
“He spoke to me before the game and just gave me little pointers as to where I can make the game easier for myself, make it easier for the team and help the team out, things like that.”
Last season Calvert-Lewin featured in 11 Premier League games, starting in five of them and scoring one goal. He was awarded with a new five-year deal in early May that will keep him a Toffee through June 2022.
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With the Toffees preparing to compete on all four fronts this season, Calvert-Lewin knows he will chances to show off his skills.
“There’s going to be a lot more opportunities to play, with the Europa League and the other cup competitions, so I’m just looking to impress as much as I can.
“I want to be a big part in the Everton team. I’m just looking to do the best I can and, hopefully, that will be enough to play more games in the Premier League and in the cups. “I want to get as many games under my belt and score as many goals as I can.”