You’re Carlo Ancelotti. You’re deciding who would be the better signing – Wayne Rooney or Luis Suarez. It’s a no-brainer. Rooney is miles ahead.
In fact I wonder how good Luis Suarez actually is. He’s got quality and ability – probably more than most. But looking good in the Dutch league and standing out in one of the most average Liverpool sides I’ve seen in my lifetime does not constitute a top-level player.
I watched him closely at the Confederations Cup and he had little impact. An enforced rest bit a huge chunk out of the end of his club season, so I expected a fresh and energized Suarez to take the tournament by storm. Instead it was Forlan who looked the better player, with Cavani finding the net in the latter stages.
Suarez and Rooney have similar international records, but in comparing the two, the big difference is that Rooney has stood the test of time at a massive club with the very highest expectations. Suarez just has to be 'good' at Liverpool to win over the fans who are desperate for a new hero after years of underachievement.
At United, Rooney is obliged to make a massive contribution to a side winning trophies. And he did just that.
We don’t have many top-class players from England so you would think we would treasure the rare ones that come along to light up our game.
People seem to have forgotten just how good a footballer Wayne Rooney actually is. I suspect United won’t know how good he is and how big a contribution he makes until it is too late. If he goes…