Prior to joining the MLS, the former England captain was demoted under difficult circumstances at Derby County, and his early-year comeback to English football with Birmingham City didn’t go as planned.
Rooney does, in fact, have a fantastic eye for talent, and in an interview with Bleacher Report on TikTok, the manager revealed that he attempted to sign Eberechi Eze while he was at Derby County in a player/coach capacity.
Rooney’s ability to spot talent is remarkable, even though he doesn’t seem to be the best tactician of his generation.
“In the last few years, the Championship has produced a ton of elite players. Rooney recalled, “I need to speak to you at the end of the game. I actually tried to sign Eze when I was at Derby as a player. He ran past me.”
The midfield player would have been a huge asset to sell and might have helped them get out of their financial bind at the time in addition to being able to move them up the league.
Sadly, Rooney was unable to arrange a trade that would have sent Eze to Pride Park, and the Rams’ ultimate collapse could not have been prevented.In addition to helping them advance in the league at the time, the midfield player would have been a highly marketable commodity who could have pulled them out of their financial rut. The Rams’ final death was inevitable, since Rooney was unable to negotiate a contract that would have seen Eze move to Pride Park.
