It is fair to say that when a young Jack Rodwell broke on to the scene at Everton as a sixteen-year-old, big things were hoped for him by Evertonians and England fans alike. Fast forward to 2016 and the ex-England man is now enduring a disappointing time as a bit part player at Sunderland. His early potential that had many raving about, now means little.
The midfielder’s career started brightly. At just 16 he made his Everton debut in European competition and went on to make 109 appearances for The Toffees. His England career also took off, earning two England caps whilst on Merseyside. The then England manager Fabio Capello was very impressed with the youngster after giving him his debut, “I knew him but I never thought a player so young, on his first exhibition, could be so ready, so good to play at this level. He could be very important for many years to come.”
In 2012 mega rich Manchester City, looking for young, experienced English players came calling. The lure of potential trophies a reported £70,000 a week contract and up to £15 million going Everton’s way was enough for the deal to be completed. Some had their concerns that it was a wrong move to make at a still early stage in his career, however it was still hoped that his career would stay on track. Unfortunately his career went into free fall. In two seasons at the Etihad Stadium, injuries, bad luck, management changes and inconsistent form meant Rodwell managed just 16 appearances in all competitions and managed to earn just one more cap for England.
His big money move to Sunderland was hoped to be the change he needed plus Sunderland looked to have a still talented midfielder on their books. At Sunderland he would get what was lacking at Manchester city – games. Rodwell like any other player, needs games. The hope at this stage was that at Sunderland he would get a the run of games required to show that he would be a good signing for the Black Cats. It’s safe to say that the move as yet has not gone to plan.
In his first season at the Stadium of Light, Rodwell amassed 26 appearances. He was involved in just three league victories, all when coming on as a substitute. This season he has so far made 23 appearances and been involved in just one win, the 2-1 home victory against Manchester United when he came on as a 15th minute substitute. The frightening statistic for Sunderland fans is that Jack Rodwell has never been involved in a Premier League victory at Sunderland in a game in which he has started. You have to go back to May 2013 to find a game that he started and his side won. The game in question, Manchester City’s 1-0 home win against West Bromwich Albion.
Was it a mistake moving to Manchester City? It would seem so. At City he was nothing more than back up player at a stage of he career where he needed to play regular first team football to aid his development. Ex Everton midfielder and City manager Peter Reid had this to say, “Jack came up through the ranks at Everton, everyone was suitably impressed and he was a huge talent. Strong, good on the ball and an excellent prospect. Fair play to him, he backed himself to go to City. It’s a great club, great set-up and you can win trophies. But you can’t if you’re not playing. And that’s the problem. Now he has gone to Sunderland and he’s still not playing. What is that telling you?”
For many, they are disappointed to see a player with such early promise fail to make the grade. For Sunderland fans they are disappointed that not only their £10 million signing has not worked out, but more so that when he is in the team the chances of victory are very slim indeed. When a team is fighting at the wrong end of the table, early potential means little if they are not performing in the here and now.
His time at Sunderland was summed up at the Stadium of Light during the Black Cats crucial game against league leaders Leicester City when he fired over the bar from just six yards out when it seemed so much easier to score.
The positive for the midfielder is that at 25 years old he still has plenty of time on his side to turn his career around. There is no doubt that he has the necessary ability to get back to being the player that cost two clubs over £20 million and made him an England international at such a young age. Has he got the confidence and the desire to get back into the Sunderland first team and England reckoning? Only time will tell. For many, including the Sunderland faithful, they are disappointed and frustrated that a player that had such potential at an early stage has become nothing more than a disappointing bit part player. Given more time Jack Rodwell could become a regular in the heart of Sunderland’s midfield, however, time is what Sunderland unfortunately have little of.
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