The boy dun gud (All Other Football Players)

Member Name: thehud

Product:	All Other Football Players
Date:	20/06/04 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant, Powerful, Fresh

Disadvantages: His temper

Thuggish crew cut, mad staring teddy bear eyes, endlessly chewing gum, elbows out to do damage, his manic gaze focused on the ball and the glory of tomorrow ? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I GIVE YOU THE FUTURE OF ENGLISH FOOTBALL, Mr Wayne Rooney?

Boiling over with the rich and rash brashness of youth, Rooney has been like a rare breath of fresh air these last two years with England, providing a verve and a passion which has long been lacking. He has stamped his presence indelibly on the European Championships with his phenomenal performances, and if his two goals against the Swiss had a touch of good fortune about them, the certainly his burst from his own half against the French, leaving one of the best defences in Europe flat footed to earn a penalty, will live long in the memory.

His first goal against Switzerland had questions of offside about it, even if the doubts lay around the position of Paul Scholes, while his second needed the intervention of the solid head of the keeper to see the ball into the net.

However, neither of these two prime examples of the goal poacher?s art were really what Roonaldo is about ? rather, refer to that French game, with England desperately seeking a moment?s pause to give the frogs pause for thought, a standard around which to rally ? cometh the hour cometh the boy?

Rooney challenged for possession, succeeded in wrestling the ball free, and set off on a scything, incisive run right at the heart of the French defence, just like the young Michael Owen did to the Argies in 1998. He turned Mikael Silvestre, one of the speediest defenders in world football, and drew the foul and the
inevitable penalty (BUT NOT THE MERITED RED CARD). If only Becks could have accepted the gift ? but that?s for another day.

True enough, there have been flashes of the simmering temper, and Rooney?s churlish shrugging aside of Makelele?s contrition smacked of a man with the red mist down and a red card to follow, but it?s truly wonderful to see a bit of passion for once among the clinical and cynical big time charlies in white shirts ? Rooney is the genuine article, the man who could win us Euro 2004 (oh no, the kiss of death). Even if he doesn?t, he will be remembered as one of the best on show, the youngest ever scorer in the tournament finals, the performer of one of the naffest cartwheels ever, and a boy old beyond his years.

Wayne Rooney was born in Liverpool on 24 October 1985 and made his debut for Everton in 2002/03, widely touted as the next big thing. Goodison boss David Moyes has blooded him carefully and wisely, sheltering him from too much football and excess of attention, but it seems highly unlikely that he will reap the full reward for his guardianship, for the Euro 2004 showcase seems almost certain to prompt the major powers of world football to pay out a big fee to secure his services. Man U, Chelsea and Real Madrid are all rumoured to be ready to wave the cheque book, and it is unlikely that many other clubs would be able to match Everton?s likely asking price.

Summary: