Sheffield United have today been linked with a shock move for former Everton and Man City man, Jack Rodwell.
Jack Rodwell played well for Blackburn Rovers last season (Photo by Rachel Holborn – BRFC/Getty Images)
Rodwell has been without a club since leaving Blackburn in the summer. He came close to signing for Roma a few weeks ago but the move broke down.
Still only 28, Rodwell was tipped as one of the brightest young prospects in the game when he broke through at Goodison Park. However, a move to Man City stalled his career. He struggled to break into a talented City squad while suffering a number of injuries along the way.
A similarly disappointing spell with Sunderland followed before he returned to some sort of form last year with Rovers.
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Rodwell, though, remains without a club, and Football Insider is now reporting that Chris Wilder could be interested in signing him.
The case for Rodwell
There is definitely a player in there with Rodwell. At 28 he still has time to make an impact if he gets his head down.
When he broke through at Everton he was predominantly a midfielder. However, he can also play in central defence, something Chris Wilder might see as a useful addition to his ranks.
Currently, Chris Basham occupies the right centre-back role. Wilder might well see Rodwell as someone who can cover in this position given his ability on the ball and natural midfield instincts.
Jack Rodwell is interesting Sheffield United (Photo by Rachel Holborn – BRFC/Getty Images)
United have previously been linked with Swansea City man, Joe Rodon. We covered his potential benefits to the Blades cause, here.
Our view
Ultimately, you have to just Chris Wilder’s judgement. He’s got it right more often than not so Blades fans will back any call he makes.
He’s not averse to taking a gamble. He did so with David McGoldrick a year or so ago and did so again in the summer with Ravel Morrison.
Ravel Morrison was given a contract by Chris Wilder (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
The Blades don’t have the budget of a lot of Premier League teams. Signing Jack Rodwell might well just prove a masterstroke for Sheffield United if he can rediscover his best and fulfil the potential he showed at Goodison Park.
