It is mad isn't it?
I have gone round in circles on here about the reasons why we shouldn't sign him etc but it's obvious that we wont change the minds of those that want him.
Realistically my feelings on him come down to this...
I am of an age where Rooney leaving us was the death knell of any romanticism regarding football.
I remember discussions at the time and supporters of other clubs were going on about Rooney leaving to join a "big club" and me saying at the time there is no chance he would leave. He is a blue, he is ours, he loves us etc. Didn't expect him to stay forever but I had to laugh at those know nothings who said he was leaving that summer.
And then he goes. First chance he gets. A little bit of football dies.
Fast forward 15 years (!) later and he wants to play for us again.
The romance may have died but I did always love how we had a bit of pride as a club. We took knocks but just got on with it. However now we are seemingly bending over backwards for him, people getting giddy at the thought of him pulling on a blue shirt again. "Yay! Wazza is coming "home"!" It's incredibly disappointing to me.
Wayne Rooney polarizes fans opinions like nobody else, not just us Evertonians but Manure and England fans too. I don't agree with yours mate, but I totally respect your right to an opinion and also that you're consistent in your opinion. I might have felt the same had I witnessed the shirt kissing episode rather than enjoying a Goodison sabbatical at the time. Who knows.
As it happens, I don't really give one about him as an individual, I only care if he's right for Everton. There's pros and cons on that score. In the ideal world I would much prefer we brought in younger and better players than Rooney. But I'm not convinced that we can either afford those players or whether they would be prepared to join us. I suppose we'll find out this summer.
I was therefore of the opinion that, if we could get the right deal financially, and that he understood that he was coming here as part of a squad, then he would be a decent addition. However, I am more than a little concerned by his injury record over the last 12 months and I am now doubting myself.
Plus, I have big concerns over match day atmosphere if he does come. People with the same opinions as yourself, of which I'm sure there are many who attend the game regularly, will have Rooney on a very short leash. I don't think he'll be constantly booed, and I'm pretty sure they'll be cheering if he scores the winner against the RS. But he'll also be permanently on probation and elements of the crowd will be quickly on his back if he's having a poor game or misses a sitter. It can create a hostile atmosphere which may affect the rest of the team performance.
At the end of the day, the opinions of you and I are irrelevant. Whether the club decide to sign Rooney or not, we as fans, have to trust their judgment. I'll be renewing my season ticket next season either way.
