Andy Townsend’s theory behind Wayne Rooney’s Everton frustration

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Everton star Wayne Rooney was not happy at being substituted in the Merseyside derby last weekend.

Andy Townsend suggested on The Monday Night Club show on BBC Radio 5 live on Monday evening (8:11pm, April 9, 2018) that Everton star Wayne Rooney could be frustrated due to being played in a number of positions.

Rooney was visibly frustrated when he was substituted during the Merseyside derby against Liverpool last weekend.

The 32-year-old, who can operate as a forward or as an attacking midfielder, was taken off in the 57th minute of the Premier League game at Goodison Park last Saturday afternoon.

Former Chelsea midfielder Townsend, who now works as a pundit for BBC Sport, has suggested that Rooney could be frustrated due to being played in a number of positions at Everton since his move from Manchester United in the summer of 2017.

Townsend said on The Monday Night Club show on BBC Radio 5 live on Monday evening (8:11pm, April 9, 2018) about Rooney: “I wonder whether or not his frustration is a little bit is that, ‘Look, I have played on the right side, I have played down the middle, I am playing in the middle of the park’.”

Versatility a bane for Wayne Rooney?

Rooney cannot lead the line on his own anymore, but the United legend is still capable of playing off the main striker or in an advanced midfield role.

However, the former England international has been deployed as a holding midfielder on occasions this season.

The 32-year-old is always ready to play wherever his manager asks him to, but it seems that his versatility is a bane for him.

For Rooney – who has scored 10 goals and provided two assists in the Premier League for Everton so far this season – to be successful and consistently perform well, he needs to be played in one position and not be moved around to accommodate other players.