It's possible, yeah. But to me it looks like people's fears of players 'losing that spring in their step' applies selectively to those who transfer to the club near age 30, rather than to anyone who is near that age. It seems to be less about the players and more about the transfers.
Rooney was a heated debate on here in his last 2-3 years with us, so it is not only new players.
It is more about the hierarchy in the team, or profile of a player. If a player of low profile, on low wages are being put to the side for not performing, it is not stirring emotions. But if your talismanic, first name on the team sheet, 300k per week captain keeps playing regardless of putting in below par performances week in week out. It is going to stir some emotions.
Casemiro comes in here with fantastic reputation, loads of experience and winning mentality. For loads of money, really high wages. He comes in here as some sort of saviour. A player that takes responsibilty and raises the level of the team. Week in and week out. The scrutiny is high, of course.
And we got everything we hoped for in the first season. He added quality defensively, in possession and in attack, we saw also a more expansive and sexy side of him we (maybe only me?) didn`t expect. Adding some much needed flair and character to the team. But, we haven`t seen those sides of him for a long time. I really hope he can come back reborn after his injury layoff and we can put to bed all concerns about him losing spring in his step. The team surely needs it. But at his age, and with all the high profile games he`s played over the years, i am concerned.