Jake Rooney has made an interesting claim ahead of his Derby County return.
Jake Rooney joined Derby County in August 2022 from Burnley’s academy and went onto make his first team debut four months later.
The defender very quickly made a name for himself at Pride Park, making 14 appearances in all competitions in his first season.
Rooney was labelled the ‘English Beckenbauer’ as he successfully burst onto the scene in League One, eventually earning himself a three-year contract extension in the following summer.
A number of injuries saw the 20-year-old earn himself a place in the starting line-up earlier this season, but it was on his third start that he was forced off after only 14 minutes.
A scan confirmed that Rooney had suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in his right knee and he was expected to be sidelined for a ‘significant period’.
Rooney hasn’t been seen ever since and, while he may return to injury before the end of the season, it is unclear whether he will be able to have an impact on Derby County’s promotion push.
The youngster has a lot of potential though and is likely to be assured he will be able to earn back his place next season, no matter what league the Rams are in.
However, Rooney has now revealed that he has hopes of actually playing in a different position when he eventually makes his comeback.
The centre-back has only ever played across the backline before, but he has now admitted he would like to play further forward.
“I guess it’s part of the job, but the manager has been brilliant,” Rooney told Derbyshire Live.
“Last year he wasn’t afraid to throw me in the big games. We had Ipswich at home and Portsmouth away. It was then Bolton and Peterborough away this season.
“That confirmed in my mind that he trusts me which, for a young player, is massive. What position it will be I don’t know.
“I have this conversation with my dad all the time. I’ve played centre-back and wing-back but the position I enjoy the most is midfield and I’d love to be in contention for that. I know it’s a cliche, but I don’t care where I play but I sometimes I feel I just have a lot more to offer on the ball and I enjoy midfield, particularly in a holding role.”
Could Jake Rooney get his wish?
Jake Rooney has looked a really promising asset when playing in defence for Derby County, but his apparent ability to play in midfield could provide Paul Warne with some great options next term.
The Rams could potentially lose six midfielders on free transfers this summer, with Max Bird set to join Bristol City, Ebou Adams returning to Cardiff City, and Louie Sibley, Liam Thompson, Conor Hourihane and Korey Smith out of contract.
While the club are likely to offer some of them new deals, Warne could potentially change his plans if he can eventually see Rooney playing in that holding role in the middle of the park.
For now though, I think we can expect Rooney to keep his place at the back once he returns. The youngster will have spent a large chunk of his senior career on the sidelines and needs to be focus on getting back to his best first.