Rodwell: I look up to Ferdinand

24 June 2009 07:31
Everton youngster Jack Rodwell swapped shirts with Rio Ferdinand last season and hopes to eventually emulate the Manchester United centre-back. Rodwell played in a defensive midfield role for England Under-21s against Germany on Monday but has been tipped to drop back into defence, just as Ferdinand did at West Ham at the start of his career. "I have heard the comparisons," Rodwell said. "It's brilliant to be compared with such a player as Rio Ferdinand. "I try to base it on my own game. I do like to play out from the back, so that's probably why they have played me in midfield because I am comfortable on the ball." He added: "I have started to play in midfield and I believe that Rio did the same when he was younger and then moved back to centre-half. I am not sure what will happen with me but I look up to him."

Source: Eurosport