Should Allardyce build Everton team around Rooney after West Ham display?

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Danny Murphy praises Wayne Rooney after hat-trick against West Ham – should new Everton manager Sam Allardyce build his team around him?

Wayne Rooney of Everton celebrates scoring his side’s second goal with teammates Cuco Martina and Gylfi Sigurdsson during the Premier League match against West Ham United.

Danny Murphy has praised Wayne Rooney following his hat-trick against West Ham United in a 4-0 Premier League victory for Everton.

Rooney was reinstated in the number ten role in the starting XI by David Unsworth in his final game as caretaker before Sam Allardyce takes over as the new permanent manager.

Sam Allardyce and Farhad Moshiri give a thumbs up to the players after the Premier League match between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park.

“He should never have been left out of the team. Never,” Murphy said while speaking as a pundit on Match Of The Day. “Every time I’ve watched him he’s been one of their best players.

“It doesn’t matter where he plays on a football pitch he always wants the ball. He never hides and Everton need that at the moment.

“When he’s on the ball he’s got this fantastic ability to be calm. He’s always had that even from a young age. Rooney can still score a goal and win you the game.

“Playing Rooney in the middle – whether it’s Unsworth or Allardyce doesn’t matter – that’s his best position because he’s the only one who will demand the ball and dictate play.”

Wayne Rooney of Everton scores his side’s third goal during the Premier League match against West Ham United.

Rooney scored his first goal from the penalty spot, following up with a header after his initial effort was saved by Joe Hart, finished off a neat move for his second and then scored the third from 58 yards after showing superb technique after Hart had rushed off his line to clear.

The 31-year-old was the best player on the pitch at Goodison Park as the Toffees won only their fourth league match of the season to move up to 13th in the table.

Allardyce was watching from the stands ahead of officially taking charge and the former Manchester United captain will certainly have given the new boss something to think about when it comes to building his team.

Much has been made of the amount of attacking midfielders the Merseysiders have at their disposal, with Gylfi Sigurdsson, Davy Klaassen and Nikola Vlasic also available and Ross Barkley to return from injury soon, but Murphy thinks Rooney is the man for the job. Will Allardyce agree?