Source: Liverpool_Echo
GREG O'KEEFFE: Jack Rodwell needs to move on - but at Everton
YOU don't need a razor-sharp memory to see similarities between the beginning of the end of Wayne Rooney's Everton career and recent rumblings about Jack Rodwell.[LNB]Although time continues to heal the wounds of the former Croxteth boy-wonder's departure from Goodison, it is still fresh enough in the memory to concern Evertonians when the clamour over Chelsea and Manchester United's interest in their latest young prodigy heightens.[LNB]Both players flourished in the Everton first teams, scoring spectacular goals and grabbing attention despite their tender years. Emerging from the same impressive youth system, their respective talents defied age.[LNB]Both were born and brought up in Merseyside, and Rooney was as settled in the region as the quiet Birkdale player is said to be.[LNB]But the comparisons between the pair do not continue deeply beyond the superficial. Not yet.[LNB]At 18, the promising England Under-21 midfielder is a year younger than Rooney was when he made the big-money switch to Old Trafford after that tearful telephone plea to Bill Kenwright.[LNB]Although selling a player of Rooney's world-class ability should never become acceptable, or indeed 'policy', for Everton, it is generally accepted that the transfer fee saved the club from financial dire straits.[LNB]More importantly, Rooney was already doing things on the pitch for Everton that marked him out as one of the best.[LNB]He was already beyond the 'prospect' stage, and had been fully capped by England. Manchester United bought a player who, even then, was a consistently exciting Premier League performer, and his natural ability progressed in tandem with regular Champions League football to make him one of the best in the world.[LNB]On the other hand Rodwell is a startlingly good prospect, but he is still a prospect.[LNB]His manager admits he has had to use him more than he would have liked this season, due to an injury crisis that continues to make physio Mick Rathbone's treatment room look like the Royal's A&E on a Saturday night.[LNB]Rodwell, his family and his advisors should be under no illusions - Everton is the right club for him at this stage in his career.[LNB]He is getting opportunities he simply would not have at Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge. A premature move to either club would see him kicking his heels on the bench. It has happened to other similar players.[LNB]Glen Johnson's youthful big move to Chelsea stalled, and he wasted precious time before having to move to re-ignite his career. Ditto Scott Parker and Shaun Wright Phillips.[LNB]Rodwell's performances so far this season have purred and shown promise of a midfielder who can grace a world stage.
