The Evertonians in the Old Trafford away end back on August 30, 2004 couldn’t resist as they chanted in unison, “Rooney’s gone to Chelsea, Rooney’s gone to Chelsea…”
In an age before social media and instant news on your mobile phone, dozens of Manchester United supporters reached for their pocket radios for the latest - had they really missed out on the Toffees wonderkid? Fortunately for the Red Devils, Rooney was unveiled a day later and the rest is United history.
However, little did the Toffees following realise they were witnessing the start of their own unique chapter, as new boy Tim Cahill completed 70 minutes on debut in a battling goalless draw after representing Australia at the Olympics.
Signing from Millwall for £1.5million, the midfielder who was lethal in the air, helped catapult an Everton side tipped for the drop high up the table as David Moyes’ side achieved an unbelievable fourth-placed finish.
Seventeen years on, and the Blues are again without a talismanic figure owing to Richarlison representing Brazil at the summer games.
While the forward will miss the season’s friendly trip to the Theatre of Dreams on August 7 and may be afforded an extended a break after a pre-season which has also included the Copa America, it will be hoped he too can make a thrilling late entrance too and provide a major boost for Rafa Benitez early in the campaign.
Cahill helped his country reach the quarter-finals in Athens and netted in a 5-1 victory over Serbia before being named Oceania Footballer of the Year.
Joining up with his new club, there were two trips to be made up the East Lancs Road and it was on September 11 that the ‘Wizard of Oz’ showed Everton fans what to expect with a towering header to seal a 1-0 win at Manchester City. A minute later, he was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card for removing his shirt in delirious celebration.
However, despite picking up a suspension, Cahill would go on to become the Toffees’ top goalscorer that season, finding the net eleven times, twelve in all competitions.
Everton utilised his aerial prowess and, using the Australian as a weapon in the box, built momentum which took them to Champions League qualification.
After a disappointing opening day 4-1 defeat at home to Arsenal, Everton went to promoted Crystal Palace and won 3-1 before earning another three points against new boys West Brom. Getting points on the board early was huge and meant Cahill could come in and hit the ground running.
This time around, the Blues have again been afforded a kind start. Hosting Southampton on the first day of the campaign, they then travel to Leeds and Brighton before welcoming Burnley to Goodison Park. That’s followed by a trip to Aston Villa and a home match against Championship winners Norwich on September 25. Richarlison, fingers crossed, will be fresh, fit and firing by then after an arduous summer and hopefully be reintroduced into a winning team.
While Everton knew of the Olympics situation when trying to get a deal done for Cahill in 2004, the current number seven revealed he fought with the club to represent his country this month in Tokyo.
However, while Richarlison will be a big miss, it could prove an inspired move.
Passionate about his home nation, the 24-year-old will return to Merseyside, perhaps an Olympian with a gold medal. He will be a big miss for the Toffees but if he and his team-mates can enjoy a podium finish, his motivation and confidence will be sky high and could really help push his club on.
Just like Cahill, Richarlison will be keen to help the team enjoy a fine start after missing the big kick off and, if he can produce similar numbers as the former attacker, as he has in his previous three seasons, that is all the better for Everton.
Let’s just hope he doesn’t take off his shirt when he scores.
