Fabio Capello says Wayne Rooney lost elite level ability at Everton

Fabio Capello says he knew Wayne Rooney‘s career at elite level was over when he watched him play for Everton and perceived the former England captain had lost his fight.

In a sharp critique of Rooney’s second spell at Goodison Park, Capello claims he was not the same striker as he had been when playing under the Italian for his country.

Rooney scored 11 goals in 40 matches during the 2017-18 season but, as revealed by Sportsmail, was told to leave by Everton at the end of the campaign. He signed for DC United until 2021.

Fabio Capello has criticised Wayne Rooney’s performances for Everton during his second spell

Capello said Rooney ‘lost all his characteristics’ and wasn’t the player he coached with England

Former England boss Capello was speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco

Rooney, 32, was managed for four years by Capello with England, and the Italian did not hold back when discussing his current situation.

‘Rooney is a good player, but I saw the season when he returned to Everton and he didn’t perform well,’ said Capello, speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco. 

‘He was on the pitch like a different person. He was not with the team. It was not the Rooney I remember – fighting, running – nothing. He lost everything, all his characteristics.

‘He decided to go to America. The football is different, it’s a new experience and a lot of Italian players go there at the end of their careers.’