BALL: WORLD AT HIS FEET

Monday 8 March 2004, 11:35

Everton legend Alan Ball is backing Wayne Rooney to follow in his footsteps at this summer's Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal.

The 18-year-old will definitely be part of Sven Goran's Eriksson's squad who are being tipped to return to England in July after securing the country's first ever success in the European Championships.

Ball believes Rooney, who he only saw in the flesh for the first time during the recent game at Southampton, will be a driving force for the England team and given the right sort of preparation he could take the tournament by storm, despite his tender years.

At just 21-years-old Ball helped England win the World Cup back in 1966 displaying many of the qualities that Rooney has shown during his relatively short career for both club and country.

"You try telling him he is not going to make an impression because of his age," insisted Ball. "He will be licking his lips with anticipation. That is how I felt before the World Cup. I was not over-awed.

"In fact, I was determined I was going to become a World Cup winner. Once they gave me that England shirt I was not going to let it go, which is what Wayne has done, despite his age.

"He will be looking forward to the summer and he will believe he will be able to win it with England. The game at Southampton a couple of weeks ago was the first time I had seen him play in the flesh and he was exactly what you would expect.

"He has got what I call the Merseyside way of playing, which can politely be described as 'committed'. He plays for the fans. You can tell he has got Everton at heart in everything he does.

Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring against Southampton

"He wants to do so well for the people who support the Blues and he wants to do well for himself. That is why the fans love him so much and that is why he has done so well.

"There are not many players like that around nowadays and it is a good asset to have, both for Everton and England."

Ball arrived at Goodison Park just four weeks after helping England to their greatest ever footballing triumph on a memorable July afternoon at Wembley in 1966.

Following a memorable five seasons he was sold to Arsenal, much to the furore of Evertonians, by boss Harry Catterick for £220,000 and there has been speculation that Rooney could leave in similar circumstances.

Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked with a big money move for the teenager but Ball believes that it is vital for Rooney to stay at Everton.

"He continued: "Everton have got a terrific young manager. Woe betide anyone who dares tell him Everton are not going to be great one day like those clubs linked with Wayne.

"Knowing him as I do and having spent time with him I am sure he will be thinking he is going to make Everton great and to do that he needs great players. Wayne would find it hard somewhere else. He is in good hands with David Moyes."