Source: Telegraph
No place like home for Everton starlet Jack Rodwell
Jack Rodwell, a Birkdale-born credit to Everton's coaching system, could be the most exciting talent to emerge from Goodison Park since Wayne Rooney. [LNB]Weighting any teenager down with great expectations is dangerous but the boy can play. He can head, tackle and pass. He's tall, athletic and composed. Most importantly, Rodwell is surrounded by good people at Everton, sensible football men like Moyes and Alan Stubbs, who will assist his development. [LNB]A centre-half in the reserves, Rodwell sat in front of Everton's back-four against Liverpool, broke up play and sprayed neat passes around. Nothing fancy, just keeping the ball rolling. [LNB]The way the England Under-18 captain stood up to Javier Mascherano was particularly impressive. Here was a display that spoke of a player who knows he belongs at this elevated level. [LNB]His team-mates clearly trust the 17-year-old's technique and temperament: Phil Jagielka, even Mikel Arteta, happily laid the ball off to Rodwell, encouraging him to build attacks. [LNB]No wonder so many leading clubs are watching Rodwell's progress with increasingly covetous eyes. But he should stay at Goodison. [LNB]Under Moyes, a manager who gives youth a chance, Rodwell can turn his rich potential into top-class reality. [LNB][LNB]
