Derby County defender Lee Buchanan has told the club’s official website how teammate Wayne Rooney has been giving him advice to help improve his game.
The 19-year-old has broken into Derby’s first-team this season.
Buchanan’s impressive performances haven’t gone unnoticed, with the Rams academy graduate earning an England U21 call-up ahead of a clash with Andorra.
The talented left-back’s involvement is another success story for Derby’s academy.
And speaking with the club’s official website, Buchanan shared how teammate Wayne Rooney has played a role on his development and that of his young teammates.
He [Wayne Rooney] is England’s all-time top goalscorer so speaking to him helps me a lot. He just said go out there and enjoy yourself, keep doing what you’re doing at the club and I’m sure you will be fine. There are a lot of young lads who are learning a lot from him. Personally, he speaks to me about my positioning, how to manage the game and that is good to play alongside him. He has given me a lot of tips on what to do whilst I’m here and I just want to enjoy myself.
Rooney joined Derby in January earlier this year with plans to go into management.
The 35-year-old has seemingly acted as a bridge between manager Phillip Cocu and the players. However, Derby’s poor form this season has prompted talk of change.
A report in the Daily Mail last month claimed the former Manchester United forward was being groomed for the Derby job, suggesting he already had his coaching staff in mind.
The report is incredibly harsh on Cocu and seemingly undermined him.
But results so far this season have been way below expectations. Cocu knows his days as Derby manager could be numbered, and the talk of Rooney won’t go away.
Jamie Carragher told Talksport this week how he is certain his former England teammate will become Derby’s next boss, saying he has an excellent mind for coaching.
Rooney appears to be a popular figure among the Derby players, and Buchanan’s latest comments provide further evidence of his ability to become a club’s number one.
Also see: ‘All set, no doubt’: Pundit certain of who Derby will appoint to replace Phillip Cocu
Also see: Report: Promotion-chasers eye striker who Derby tried to sign in £900k summer deal