Wayne Rooney: To go or not to go

It’s an old saying: the only permanent thing is change itself. With the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson from Manchester United, there lies ahead a summer which can have a deep impact on not only the Premier League but also continental football across Europe.

It would be an understatement if one says that Sir Alex was much more than just a manager at Manchester United. He is and will always be much more than the incessant train of adjectives that have been used to laud him over the past week. Players, coaches, sports personalities, politicians and every football lover has utmost respect for the Scot. His impending retirement was always on the cards but nobody had foreseen the impact it would have on the present, especially just after winning another league title.

However, this day had to come once and there it is. With the appointment of David Moyes, the United hierarchy has once again made a statement to the world that for them it’s more than just a name. As a football fan who follows the Premier League fairly regularly, I had predicted that it would be Joseph “Pep” Guardiola who would be at the helm. But he chose an entirely different platform altogether with Bayern Munich his destination. And so it would be the hardworking David Moyes who would be United next manager (frankly, with all his Chelsea connections and his arrogance, hardly anyone gave Mourinho the odds).

It would be really interesting to see how Moyes copes with a challenge as big as this. It is almost unimaginable to think anybody could come close to Sir Alex’s legacy, let alone overpower it. Moyes will be in an entirely different zone from now on – the weight of the pressure might just turn out to be too much for him. There will be bigger things at stake, other than sustaining the winning mentality, and that would be managing the big names. And none is bigger than Wayne Rooney in the modern English game. The talented center forward has had his own fair share of issues to deal with during his tumultuous playing career. It’s not hard to imagine that he is looking forward to another challenge, perhaps this time in another country altogether. For a player of his stature and credentials, the possible suitors have already started to emerge. Not long back, the mercurial Zlatan had publicly quoted that Rooney would be a terrific addition to the talented PSG squad. Let’s have a look at the possible destinations that Rooney might go to this summer:

Paris Saint-Germain

The French capital might just prove to be a nice setting for Rooney. A club vying for success in Champions League, a “reasonable” wage budget and a host of star players might prove to be more than just a catalyst. Not to forget a seasoned manager like Carlo Ancelotti who has brought (bought) the capital a league title after so many years. Zlatan’s public declaration and amid the rumours, it is not hard to imagine Rooney plying his trade in Paris. But it will come at an enormous cost, and with apprehension as the count down for World Cup 2014 begins. Roy Hodgson won’t be fielding an English team without Wazza, but then one year is a long time to predict anything as of yet.

Arsenal

Ever since the departure of Robin van Persie, the Gunners have struggled for consistency up top. It won’t be easy to replicate the heroics of RVP overnight but with an experienced campaigner like Arsene Wenger and with the likes of Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, AOC, Santi Cazorla and Podolski around, Arsenal might go for their biggest transfer move till date. But once again, Manchester United will surely be reluctant to sell their prized asset to their age old rivals. And then still the biggest question will be whether the Arsenal management can afford Rooney, considering their wage budget. But this move might favour Rooney as much as Arsenal because he will be playing in the same English atmosphere, with a talented bunch of players and at a club whose status in the league could be redefined overnight if this transfer takes place. If.

Real Madrid CF

When the Galacticos come calling, you simply don’t say no. The epitome of glamour and fame in world football. A more than talented squad with the Cristiano Ronaldo as its crown jewel: things don’t get bigger than this. The transfer price and wage are never going to come in the way. The fans will embrace him with more than admiration. But then it might turn out to be a tricky proposition in itself. There are not many examples of English players excelling in the Spanish league. Michael Owen and David Beckham are the prime examples of it. And then there would be competition for a spot in the playing eleven with Benzema and Higuain looming around. But as with any other endeavour, even this one will have its follies. It would be up to Wazza to decide at last which path beckons him.