Desperately trying to break through at Goodison Park, David Henen has had his ups and downs with the Everton board, including a battle for a transfer this summer, which the club won by managing to keep him for the coming season.
However, the 21-year-old will have to make do without the tutelage of one of his favourite mentors this season, Romelu Lukaku.
The now Manchester United striker took the U23 captain under his wing during training sessions, and Henen was left a bit shocked when the Belgium international told him he wouldn’t be there for him anymore.
He told La Meuse: “It was really weird when Romelu told me he was going to Manchester. We spoke a lot and he really helped me to progress, but I’m really happy for him. He’s a machine and he deserved his transfer.
“With Agüero and Kane, he’s one of the three best strikers in the Premier League. I’m convinced he’ll score 30 goals this year in all competitions.”
Despite one of his good friends leaving him, the forward now has the opportunity to learn from one of the Premier League greats, Wayne Rooney, who travelled in the opposite direction, moving from Old Trafford to Goodison Park over the summer.
He said: “He’s pure class! In England and especially at Everton, he’s seen as a legend. At 31 years of age, he still has a great touch and an impressive desire to win.
“When you see him from the outside, you could think he isn’t a joker, but on the inside, he’s really nice. He laughs a lot and he has the gift to make you feel at ease straight away. He also never hesitates to give you a few tips.”
Promised a new contract, which is likely to arrive in the coming weeks, Henen might want to stick around to learn a bit more from England’s top goalscorer.
After all, it can’t hurt.
