Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Should Wayne Rooney jump on the Chinese bandwagon?

Should Rooney go to China? / Image via espnfc.com

Simply put – No.

Chinese Super League has this season emerged as one of the most desired football destinations for top-class footballers who are open to pocketing insane amounts of money for less than a competitive effort they got used to during their playing time in Europe.

It might not be the most positive judgement of the Chinese football, but it’s neither one far away from the truth.

Just ask Carlos Tevez.

Having become the richest footballer on the planet less than three months ago, when he signed on a deal that guarantees a whopping salary of £615,000 a month, the Argentine is reported to have gone through a major change of heart, according to the Mirror.

In an unsurprising twist for the footballer who was on verge of ending his career a couple of seasons ago, Carlos Tevez is said to be unhappy in China and on his way back to Argentina in what would surely be an unprecedented move in world football.

Carlos Tevez is only one of the stars to have their heads turned by Chinese riches in recent months, but arguably the first one who will be pinned as a proof that money is not all that matters in football.

Despite earning more than half a million every week, the experienced striker is missing the competitive edge, the football atmosphere, culture and heritage Chinese can’t buy overnight.

Million reasons to go east…

And in the latest effort to build up the reputation of the Chinese Super League, an unnamed football club – initially thought to be Tianjin Quanjian – is thought to be on verge of signing Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney in a whopping deal that would see England international pocket close to £1 million every week.

Rooney is thought to have come to terms that he no longer has future at Old Trafford and that is a commendable reasoning from the legendary striker.

Red Devils have invested a great deal of money and effort in building a competitive side whose future rests on the shoulders of future star Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and possibly another world-class signing – such as Antoine Griezmann – which is already being mooted for the summer. And with the Swedish god Zlatan Ibrahimovic relentlessly beating the odds to prove over and over again that he only gets better with age, the deteriorating Wayne Rooney is ready to pack his bags.

The captain wishes to leave on his own terms, however, as he finds himself disappointed with a reduced role under Jose Mourinho, who refused to rule out the possibility of Rooney leaving the club. Mourinho was without the captain in last two games due to an unspecified illness, but the growing reports are arguing it to be a facade and a mask hiding the real reason.

With a reported £35 million a year offer from an unnamed Chinese club on the table, Wayne Rooney will have less than six days to make a call before the Chinese transfer window closes on 28 February.

Manchester United captain remained in England as his teammates travelled to France for tonight’s Europa League clash against Saint Etienne – for which the Red Devils are given 5/4 betting odds to win – with speculations only adding fuel to fire on reports linking him with a move to China.

..a few less reasons to stay in the west

Rooney needs serious thinking to do as a lucrative move east could tarnish his reputation as Manchester United legend and paint a negative picture on one of England’s favourites.

United’s all-time goal-scorer, who scored his 250th goal in a 1-1 draw at Stoke earlier in January, should not be completely condemned for his potential money-chasing departure, but as a well-off football player he is, could Rooney possibly agree to lower his demands for what would surely be a dream-like return to Everton in example?

The Toffees would welcome one of their own with open arms and such a move would only cement Rooney’s position at the pedestal of football’s greatest.  Ever.

But perhaps it is just me being stuck too deep in the romantic remains of once the most beautiful game in the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Milos Markovic


Formerly a Chief Editor at the largest sports site in Serbia Sportske.net, Milos Markovic is an avid football writer who contributes to a variety of online football magazines - most prominently Soccernews.com and Futbolgrad.com. His feature articles, editorials, interviews and match analyses have provided informed opinion and views, helping the football aficionados keep up to date on relevant events in world football.

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