Wayne Rooney has admitted Everton’s FA Cup exit back in January did not impress him after David Moyes made numerous changes.
Everton may be pushing for European qualification this season, but a big missed opportunity has passed them in the FA Cup.
It was once the competition all clubs wanted to win, yet Moyes fielded a weakened side to face Sunderland in the third round back in January.
Is this genuinely realistic…🤔
Everton vs Liverpool stat.
The wait for silverware at Finch Farm goes on, but Rooney has shared his frustrations after seeing the Blues dumped out of the cup so early.
Everton v Sunderland - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Wayne Rooney baffled by David Moyes’ cup snub at Everton
Earlier this week, Rooney admitted his favourite Everton memory is the FA Cup triumph from back in 1995.
The joy the former Everton forward experienced as a fan is why he simply cannot understand why sides rotate so heavily in the competition.
Moyes’ current deal expires next year… 🤔
Everton manager David Moyes.
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“When I’m seeing teams rest players all the time, and especially teams who aren’t in Europe and they don’t need to, it’s an opportunity,” Rooney said.
For the game against the Black Cats, Moyes made four changes from the side that drew against Wolves just days prior.
Although some of these changes were forced, the Carabao Cup is another example of Everton making considerable changes despite not competing in Europe.
Facing Wolves in the Carabao Cup, Moyes massively switched up his side to play at Molineux, and it did not pay off as they were dumped out by the side bottom of the Premier League.
Everton need to take the cup competitions more seriously
Football fans are well aware that the Carabao Cup is not viewed so highly by clubs in comparison to the FA Cup.
However, for teams like Everton, who have not lifted silverware in decades, this should be viewed as the perfect opportunity to break their drought.
Everton would not necessarily have drawn the same sides as Sunderland, but the Black Cats demonstrated the opportunity available to the Blues this season.
After winning at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Sunderland faced Oxford United and then Port Vale in the FA Cup.
Jordan Pickford is desperate to win silverware for both Everton and England, with the domestic cup competitions offering great opportunities for the likes of the Toffees.
Potential European qualification may have an effect on next season, but a real focus should be placed on pushing on in the cups from Moyes.
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