Former England captain Wayne Rooney has singled out Hugo Ekitike as one of the Premier League’s most influential arrivals this season, placing the Liverpool forward alongside Sunderland skipper Granit Xhaka as the two most impressive additions to the competition.
Rooney made the assessment during an appearance on The Wayne Rooney Show, where he reflected on the impact both players have had since joining their respective clubs.
Ekitike’s performances for Liverpool have caught Rooney’s attention, particularly his ability to operate fluidly across attacking positions.
The French forward of Cameroonian descent has earned praise for blending creativity with goal-scoring instincts, becoming a vital component of Liverpool’s attacking structure.
Rooney highlighted Ekitike’s memorable second strike against Newcastle United, describing the finish as instinctive and reminiscent of Brazilian legend Romário. According to Rooney, the forward’s intelligence and versatility make him one of the most entertaining attackers in the league.
While Ekitike’s attacking flair has drawn admiration, Rooney also emphasised the influence of Xhaka, who has transformed midfield dynamics since joining Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen.
“Ekitike and (Granit) Xhaka at Sunderland have probably been the two best signings in the Premier League.
“I really enjoy watching Ekitike play. His second goal against Newcastle in particular was brilliant, it reminds me of Romario. A little toe-poke goal but it’s instinctive.
“He is the type of player I like to watch. He’s not a number nine, he’s not a number 10. He drifts out wide, he gets on the ball, brings players into the game and he can score goals. So he’s got a bit of everything really.”
