Wayne Rooney's Everton comeback may be in its infancy, but the forward has nonetheless enjoyed an impressive start to life back on Merseyside. Three games into pre-season, the summer signing has already struck twice- including a pearler in the friendly win over Kenyan side Gor Mahia- while his influence both on and off the pitch has also been particularly noticeable.
One of the main arguments for bringing back the 31-year-old was his experience of not just winning trophies but also a supposed ability to nurture the young talent already at the club. With five U20 World Cup winners in their ranks as well as the likes of Tom Davies, Mason Holgate and Jordan Pickford, it was felt that Rooney's presence in the dressing room and on the training ground would be crucial in guiding a youthful Everton squad through the season ahead.
That decision is already paying dividends, if Blues youngster Kieran Dowell is to be believed. In an interview with the Liverpool Echo, the talented attacking midfielder revealed the key formative role Rooney is already playing behind the scenes at his boyhood club.
“He’s been quality,” Dowell said. "As a local lad as well he’s really taken to us young local lads and really helped us.
“Even sitting next to me in the first half, he was giving me tips before I came on so it’s really good to have someone like him in the squad.”
The telling insight from one of Everton's top prospects shows why, with club captain Phil Jagielka increasingly unsure of his position in the Blues' starting lineup for the coming campaign, calls from certain sections of the fanbase for Rooney to be handed the armband are growing ever louder.
Of course, it's by no means certain that Jagielka will lose the captaincy for the new season- indeed, the chances are he'll still fulfill his job as club captain- but following the signing of Michael Keane and taking into account Ronald Koeman's trust in Ashley Williams, it may well be the case that the Toffees are searching for a new leader on the pitch.
Aside from Rooney, several names have already been mentioned in relation to the prospective new vacancy. Seamus Coleman, the aforementioned Williams and Morgan Schneiderlin would all be in with a shout of taking the armband, while club stalwart Leighton Baines assumed the role for the recent friendly against Genk.
At times last season, Coleman, who now leads his country, looked every inch the captain-in-waiting. A passionate and vocal figure during games, it was a moment in last December's Merseyside derby that further reinforced his credentials to the fanbase. With Ross Barkley surrounded by a swarm of Liverpool players after a late tackle on Jordan Henderson, Coleman was the only Everton player to rush to his teammate's defence. Simultaneously diffusing the situation and protecting his colleague, it was a tangible sign of just how much the 28-year-old has grown in stature during his stint with the club. Unfortunately, though, injury will deprive the popular Irishman of his chance to stake a case for the role ahead of next month's big Premier League kick-off, meaning an opportunity may arise for one of the other candidates in the frame.
Welsh captain Williams would be a logical choice, yet with the centre-back to turn 33 next month, Koeman could well plump for a long-term solution instead. Schneiderlin, meanwhile, lacks experience in the role but remains a class act that leads by example in setting close to faultless standards. After moving to Goodison in Janaury, though, the Frenchman is probably some way down the pecking order of potential hopefuls.
However, all things considered, it was Rooney who appeared best suited to the job against Genk; the de facto leader even before he was eventually handed the armband in the second-half. Cajoling fellow players and delivering mini team-talks during drinks breaks, Rooney prompted his manager to afterwards extol his leadership qualities to the highest degree.
"He has a lot of experience," Koeman told Everton TV. "He is an important player on the pitch but also important for his teammates and certainly the young players to show them what you need to do to reach that high standard of football.
"That means he needs to be a leader off the pitch and if I see how he's working and what he's doing with all the players it's really what we want."
Given the praise lavished on him by the notoriously difficult-to-please Koeman, it would be no surprise at all if Rooney assumed the role at some point this season. Whether that be as permanent captain or in a temporary capacity while the Dutchman waits for another to come to the fore remains to be seen, yet it's clear the Everton manager believes he'd be up to the job if necessary.
The clearest indication yet as to the destination of the captaincy will come during Thursday's Europa League qualifier at home to Slovakian side MBK Ruzomberok. Should Jagielka miss out, Koeman's hand will be forced on the issue. It'll be intriguing to see whether Rooney marks his return by taking the reins in what would be a decision draped in symbolism for club and player alike.
