Karl Walderman. Published Mon 11 May 2009 11:18, ClickLiverpool
A baby-faced youngster has been billed the new Wayne Rooney at only seven-years-old.
Dylan Nicholls has got Premier League scouts purring with excitement after banging in 120 goals during a season.
The Scouse hotshot is currently training with Blackburn Rovers as well as Merseyside clubs Liverpool and Everton.
But title-chasing Anfield fans needn’t get too excited, because the cheeky kid dreams of playing alongside his hero Rooney at bitter rivals Manchester United.
And top scouts reckon dazzling Dylan, who is earning rave reviews for his lightning pace and unerring eye for goal, will one day get his wish.
Blackburn's pre-academy coach Roy Smith said: "For his age, he is possibly the most naturally gifted footballer I've ever seen.
"With the right coaching he could go all the way.
"I was the first to spot Dylan and bring him to Blackburn and he has shown us he could quite easily be the next Wayne Rooney or even better.
Dylan's lung-bursting schedule sees him star for local Kirkby team Mollies Munch on Saturday then Croxteth Diamonds on Sunday mornings before dashing to Blackburn for an afternoon game.
Last season he scored an amazing 120 times for his amateur clubs and hit EIGHT on his debut.
Dylan lives just a few miles from the tough back streets of Croxteth where England ace Rooney grew up.
Under FA rules he can't sign for a top-flight club until he is nine.
"But the Scouse goal machine has already set his sights on hitting the same dizzy heights as his striker hero. who burst into the Everton team at 16 before making his England debut at 17.
And it might be a nightmare for his Kopite dad Jonathon but Dylan hopes one day to grace the "theatre of dreams" Old Trafford.
Dylan, a pupil at St Joseph's School in Kirkby, said: "I love football and want to be a professional.
"Blackburn is my favourite club. We get to play games on Sundays but you don't at Everton and Liverpool.
"I support Liverpool but Wayne Rooney is my favourite player so I don't mind who wins the league out of them two.
"I don't think my dad would want me to but I'd play for United with Wayne."
Proud dad Jonathon, 27, said: "Dylan always has a ball at his feet or under his arm.
"In the house, the street, at school, even on the computer all he does is play football. It has taken over our lives.
"We have given up trying to take his ball off him. He would just find something else to kick.
"Like any father I am proud of my son and I'll support him with whatever he wants to do.
"But I can’t see him wanting to do anything else.
"If he carries on with the potential he shows now, the future is his for the taking. I just hope he makes it."
A baby-faced youngster has been billed the new Wayne Rooney at only seven-years-old.
Dylan Nicholls has got Premier League scouts purring with excitement after banging in 120 goals during a season.
The Scouse hotshot is currently training with Blackburn Rovers as well as Merseyside clubs Liverpool and Everton.
But title-chasing Anfield fans needn’t get too excited, because the cheeky kid dreams of playing alongside his hero Rooney at bitter rivals Manchester United.
And top scouts reckon dazzling Dylan, who is earning rave reviews for his lightning pace and unerring eye for goal, will one day get his wish.
Blackburn's pre-academy coach Roy Smith said: "For his age, he is possibly the most naturally gifted footballer I've ever seen.
"With the right coaching he could go all the way.
"I was the first to spot Dylan and bring him to Blackburn and he has shown us he could quite easily be the next Wayne Rooney or even better.
Dylan's lung-bursting schedule sees him star for local Kirkby team Mollies Munch on Saturday then Croxteth Diamonds on Sunday mornings before dashing to Blackburn for an afternoon game.
Last season he scored an amazing 120 times for his amateur clubs and hit EIGHT on his debut.
Dylan lives just a few miles from the tough back streets of Croxteth where England ace Rooney grew up.
Under FA rules he can't sign for a top-flight club until he is nine.
"But the Scouse goal machine has already set his sights on hitting the same dizzy heights as his striker hero. who burst into the Everton team at 16 before making his England debut at 17.
And it might be a nightmare for his Kopite dad Jonathon but Dylan hopes one day to grace the "theatre of dreams" Old Trafford.
Dylan, a pupil at St Joseph's School in Kirkby, said: "I love football and want to be a professional.
"Blackburn is my favourite club. We get to play games on Sundays but you don't at Everton and Liverpool.
"I support Liverpool but Wayne Rooney is my favourite player so I don't mind who wins the league out of them two.
"I don't think my dad would want me to but I'd play for United with Wayne."
Proud dad Jonathon, 27, said: "Dylan always has a ball at his feet or under his arm.
"In the house, the street, at school, even on the computer all he does is play football. It has taken over our lives.
"We have given up trying to take his ball off him. He would just find something else to kick.
"Like any father I am proud of my son and I'll support him with whatever he wants to do.
"But I can’t see him wanting to do anything else.
"If he carries on with the potential he shows now, the future is his for the taking. I just hope he makes it."
He's not a proper Liverpool fan. 
He's only young but if he doesn't learn now then I don't even want to contemplate the consequences. Heard him telling his mates he was a Liverpool fan later that day.
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