After Max Dowman made his Premier League debut, Rooney gave his own advice. After making a substitute in Arsenal's 5-0 victory over Leeds United, Doman, who was 15 years and 234 days later, became the second youngest player in the club's his...
After Max Dowman made his Premier League debut, Rooney gave his own advice. After making a substitute in Arsenal's 5-0 victory over Leeds United, Doman, who was 15 years and 234 days later, became the second youngest player in the club's history.
Rooney made his debut in Everton at the age of 16 in August 2002, and scored a brilliant final goal against Arsenal two months later, becoming the youngest goalkeeper in the Premier League at that time.
Rooney reviews his personal experience of making his first-team debut as a young man and some of the challenges that Dowman may face in the coming months and years.
Rooney said: "It was crazy to play in the Premier League at that age. I know I played games when I was young, but I think he was 150 days or more younger than I was. It was refreshing to see a young man get opportunities, and even if he played for Arsenal, you would shout 'shoot' every time he cuts in. You want him to shoot the ball into a dead corner."
Doman created a penalty kick at the end of the game. Rooney is glad he was not responsible for taking the penalty kick.
Rooney said: "If he takes the penalty, it's great, but I'm thinking if he loses it, it's an absolute success story with... Suddenly everyone, not everyone, but someone on the Internet will attack him. So I'm really glad he didn't take the penalty, but this debut was already very impressive."
"For Doman and his family and friends, I believe they all live in dreams and fairy tales, maybe not yet come back to their senses, but you can see his future is bright and he will have a bright future. You and the football world When everyone talks, the same name keeps being mentioned: Max Doman. "
" It's very difficult for anyone. I think the first thing to do is stay with family and close friends. Listen to their advice, because there will be people outside trying to be your friend or contact you, some out of good intentions, and some not. You just need to make sure that people close to you stay and listen to their advice instead of outsiders." Rooney said that in addition to constantly improving on the court, a young player who broke into the first team also needs to adjust off the court.
Rooney said: "It's surreal. You were on the youth team one minute, and the next minute you were in the first team locker room with some of the childhood heroes, which was wonderful. For me, it was some of the heroes I admired as I grew up and we trained, played, and became friends."
"I've been to the Duncan Ferguson's house. He lives on the same street as me, and I just hang out with him and Alan Stabbs. You're like, 'What's going on?' You need to get used to it quickly because it might be unlucky. Overwhelmed. "
" From everything I saw, Doman is like a very calm guy, you hope he can handle it and understand what is coming soon."
Rooney gave Doman his advice: "Enjoy it all. I believe we will see him often, often see his talent, goals and assists, etc. Alan Stabbus always said to me years ago, 'Does be sure to enjoy it because it passes quickly'. You don't think so when you are young, or sometimes you forget it, but enjoy it and make the most of it."
