Moving can wait for in-demand Rooney

Jul 6 2004 By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

I WAS absolutely slaughtered by two Everton supporters in a bar in Portugal last week.

"Rooney's not going anywhere," they shouted - among other things which I can't repeat here - following what I had said in the Daily Post a few weeks ago about my expecting him and Steven Gerrard to seek pastures new.

The Liverpool captain has already disproved my theory and now it looks as if Wayne (left) is about to do the same, given what has happened over the weekend.

Firstly Everton seem more deter-mined to keep him than ever, with Trevor Birch and David Moyes presenting a stern blockade to any advances.

Secondly, some of his would-be suitors have started to blink in the staring contest with Everton, with Manchester United admitting they couldn't afford him at £50 million.

I'm not surprised by that - there's only one club who could pay that sort of money - and hearing it was definitely good news, because Rooney staying is a big boost for Everton.

He has already become a talisman for the club given his career so far, and Moyes must be looking forward to seeing him reproduce his England form with Everton.

He did not have a good season last time around, which was no surprise for a young lad who was still finding his way in the game.

Now he has set a benchmark with his performances in Portugal, and Moyes will be hoping he can show that level more regularly for Everton. It will be difficult for the lad to live up to that week in, week out, but I think he will play better for a longer period than he did last season, given his greater maturity.

Let's be honest, if he did then that would mean another 10 to 15 points in the bag for Everton and mid-table safety instead of a shambolic escape from relegation.

All Everton followers - including my friends in the bar - should bear in mind that there is still plenty of time for Chelsea or Manchester United to come in with a bid for Rooney.