It has tonight been reported by The Guardian that former Blue Jack Rodwell will return to Everton in the summer. Manager Roberto Martinez attempted to sign the still young midfielder on the final day of the January transfer window, but with City failing in their bid for Porto’s Fernando, the deal fell through.
The deal, which is incredibly likely to go through, would see Manchester City taking a massive hit on the initial £12 million they paid out for Rodwell, with the Blues unlikely to be able to afford anything near that figure, alongside his well known injury problems.
It is unsure as to whether this would affect the attempts to also sign Gareth Barry on a free transfer, however if both deals were to go through then the midfield options of Barry, McCarthy, Rodwell and Gibson would be very positive going into the new season.
Rodwell made 85 appearances for Everton in his time, fairly high for a player so young and with near constant injuries. When he was fit, he was regarded as a very bright prospect and one that if could stay injury free, a coup for the Everton midfield. He has featured only 14 times for Manchester City, and their fans will just be looking to get back a half-decent fee that could see them bring in a much more cultured and mature player.
If fit I’d take him like a shot.But,he’s not is he? Like Gibbo and Alcaraz he has a propensity to break down over a run of games. We need consistency,surely,to progress,as well as ability. Barry,if he signs,is not getting younger,nor is Pienaar or Osman,so could well miss games next term.If McManaman is available still I’d prefer him to join Macca in the engine room. Surely taking Our Jack back would take up aspace that could be better used by a fresh face or,heaven forbid,Conor Grant.
I’ve just been reminded that Jack was mooted to be a centre half. I think he could actually be excellent in that role as a ball playing defender.All the guff about playing sideways can be discounted in that position. I know this is heresy,but I’d take a few City players if available,Lescott and Richards chief among them. But I reckon Jack could benefit hamstring problemwise by playing at the back.
[…] The first of these is to spend the money that has been saved over the course of his time on Merseyside to compete in the transfer market. The manager has sold £40m-worth of players since his arrival from Wigan Athletic – Marouane Fellaini, Nikica Jelavic and Victor Anichebe – and also removed John Heitinga’s lucrative salary from the wage bill. Almost half has been reinvested on James McCarthy, Arouna Koné and Aiden McGeady and Martínez admits he deliberately did not spend heavily in January to protect this summer’s transfer budget. It is thought that two of the main targets are the permanent signing of current loanee Romelu Lukaku and a return for Jack Rodwell in Royal Blue. […]