Everton have had some very talented players over the years, and some of them went on to become world class.
Romelu Lukaku is a fairly recent example, as he’s been a prolific striker at the top level for well over a decade now.
Interestingly, Everton actually wanted to sign Demba Ba before they were offered Lukaku on the final day of the 2013 summer transfer window.
John Stones is another good example, as he became one of the best centre-backs in the world at Manchester City.
And, Joe Cole reckons another former Everton player was so good that he was even better than Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal.
Everton star Wayne Rooney.
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Joe Cole thinks former Everton star Wayne Rooney was better than Lamine Yamal
Wayne Rooney is widely regarded as one of the best players England have ever produced, and he was made at Everton.
Rooney came through Everton’s academy and made his senior debut for the Merseysiders aged just 16 years old.
The former England international played 117 times for the Toffees across two spells, netting 28 goals and laying on eight assists.
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Joe Cole was recently asked by the Daily Mail who the better player was out of Rooney and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, and he went for the Everton icon.
Although, Cole then conceded that the Brazilian Ronaldo was better than Rooney.
David Moyes says Wayne Rooney was the last of his kind
Everton manager David Moyes recently admitted that Rooney was the last street footballer to ply his trade at the top level.
“He was literally the last street footballer. And he was,” Moyes explained.
“And if you think of what we all sort of were brought up in, the street footballers, most of them have been brought up playing in the streets, early doors and in the parks and whatnot.
“I think Wayne was certainly the last of that breed, as far as I know.”
Ashley Cole said Rooney was the worst loser he played with, and that ties in with Moyes’ assessment of the former Toffees star.
Rooney played with his heart on his sleeve and didn’t shirk out of any challenge, but also had the finesse to create moments of magic.
Pairing those two traits together created a totally unique footballer who really was one of a kind.
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