Sky Sports Football Pundit Jamie Redknapp has back Wayne Rooney's decision to send son Kai to rivals Manchester City's academy system, suggesting it will allow him to flourish 'away from the limelight'.
The Manchester Unitedskipper was reported to have accompanied his son to the City Football Academy earlier this week to help him begin his footballing education, rejecting the chance to set him up at the club where he has become one of their greatest ever goal scorers and legend among the fans.
However, in his column in theDaily Mail, Redknapp has supported the 31-year-old's decision, insisting that Kai will be able to flourish a lot more easily without the pressure of his dad's legacy looming over him at the club, reflecting on his own experiences, while also praising City's academy system as one of the best in the country.
"When I was young, I didn't like going to West Ham, where my dad had played," wrote Redknapp.
Wayne Rooney is RIGHT to take his son to train at Man City, explains Jamie Redknapp https://t.co/pBfWAjgeoC pic.twitter.com/HAOlqVTSk5
"I didn't want to be judged as 'Harry's son' by the scouts and coaches he had worked with when he was a player. I signed for Spurs because, at the time, they had no connection to my dad.
"It's the same now for Beau (Jamie's son), who trains at Chelsea and Fulham. I hope he is good enough, but he will get a chance only because of his ability and not because of me."