Neville backs Rooney to help Everton win trophies

Daniel Storey

Phil Neville has backed Wayne Rooney to lead the charge as Everton look to follow in the footsteps of Tottenham and challenge the established order in the Premier League.

Rooney returned to Goodison Park after a trophy-laden 13-year spell at Manchester United as part of Everton’s busy summer of transfer activity.

 

Neville, speaking at the Star Sixes tournament at London’s O2 Arena, has been impressed with Everton’s dynamic approach and believes the free signing of former United and England skipper Rooney could be the difference.

“If the transfer window closed today, Everton have done the best business,” he said.

“They have been very proactive, they have not waited for Lukaku to leave, they have said ‘let’s get our players in first and take some of the pressure off’.

“I remember when I was at Everton with David Moyes we sold Joleon Lescott one summer and Mikel Arteta towards the end and when you sell those players it puts added pressure on and fans get a little angry.

“They have actually signed four or five players, the fans are happy, it softens the blow of Lukaku leaving with knowing full well there are one or two more to come.

“I think the signing of Rooney gels it all together for Everton. There is no way Wayne Rooney would go back to Everton if he didn’t think they were going to win things, that is for sure.”

“He is a winner and will bring that winning mentality to the changing room,” he said.

“What he will also bring, that I experienced a little bit at Everton, is that there is a little bit of fear of what it takes to actually win a trophy.

“Everton haven’t won a trophy since 1995 and it was always a noose around my neck when I was captain, it was something I felt really pressured into doing because you are always compared to those captains and the teams that were great.

“I think Rooney has big enough shoulders to spread that kind of experience in the dressing room.”