10 things you need to know about Jack Rodwell

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog

Published 17:31 18/03/10

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By Mehreen Khan

As Chelsea look to freshen up their ageing squad, one man they've been linked with is Everton starlet Jack Rodwell.

Chelsea transfer special: who will join in the summer - and who will leave?

The England Under-21 star is one of the most coveted players in the Premier League, but you might not know that much about him. Well, not yet anyway...

1) Born on March 11, 1991 in Southport, Jack Christian Rodwell joined his boyhood club Everton as a youth player and signed his first professional contract with them in March 2008.

2) Aged 16 years and 284 days, Rodwell became the youngest player ever to represent Everton in Europe as he came on as a substitute against AZ Alkmaar in December 2007.

3) Following in family footsteps, Rodwell is the nephew of former Blackpool winger Tony Rodwell.

4) Hailed as the 'new Rio Ferdinand', Rodwell has been deployed mainly as a defensive midfielder for Everton. However, possessing a versatility that sees him just as assured in possession and precise in the tackle either at the back or in the middle of the pitch, the 6ft 2in teenager has attracted the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs.

5) Rodwell's short career has already been littered with memorable moments. In his first full European start for Everton in the Europa Cup against SK Sigma Olomouc in 2009, he capped an assured defensive performance with two long-range strikes in a 4-0 win. His first Premier League goal was equally as memorable, coming against potential suitors Manchester United in a 3-1 victory at Goodison this year.

6) Rodwell's international performances hold just as  promise for England fans. Having represented his country at under-16, 17, 18 and Under-21 levels, he proved his potential as a leader by captaining England's under-16s to the Victory Shield in 2006. Stuart Pearce has labelled Rodwell as performing 'beyond his years' and his displays for club and country have attracted the attentions of Fabio Capello. 

7) Even though he only signed his first professional contract in 2008, Everton offered the teenager a new five-year contract in 2009 to ward off any potential interest.

8) David Moyes has spoken of protecting Rodwell from the limelight, but with consistent performances that bely his tender years, Rodwell is Everton's worst kept secret since Wayne Rooney. Both Manchester United and Chelsea will seek to swoop for the versatile youngster this summer.

9) Comparisons with Wayne Rooney extend to off the pitch matters too after Rodwell met his teenage sweetheart and beauty-pageant queen, Melissa Reeve, at only 16.  Like Coleen, Melissa has also starred in teen soap Hollyoaks.The omens look good for United fans who'll hope that Rodwell can emulate Rooney's success in the red half of Manchester.

10) For all the hype, Moyes insists that the 18 year-old has his feet firmly on the ground. Both player and club have re-iterated that he will be staying at Everton for the forseeable future, but surely much like Wayne Rooney, it won't be long before the player will be heading to pastures new.

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