Jack Rodwell may be something of a forgotten man in football but is still “valued highly” at Sheffield United, reports the Daily Mail.
Rodwell has played just once since signing for the Blades on a short-term deal until the end of the season back in January.
That sole appearance came in the FA Cup third round victory over non-league AFC Fylde. Rodwell played in that match just two days after joining United, but has not featured since.
In fact, the 29-year-old has not even made a match day squad since that game against Fylde almost three months ago.
Rodwell is out of contract at Bramall Lane on June 30, so what next for the England international?
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Will Jack Rodwell get a new deal at Sheffield United?
(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Generally considered a midfielder during his career, Chris Wilder converted Rodwell into a centre-back for that FA Cup tie.
And the former Everton and Manchester City man impressed in the role, looking comfortable in and out of possession. Albeit against National League opposition.
Yet since Rodwell signed for the Blades two more central defenders have joined the club. Jack Robinson is left-sided, but Bayer Leverkusen loanee, Panos Retsos, appears to be in direct competition.
Both are behind Chris Basham for a place on the right side of the back three in Wilder’s starting XI. At 21-years-old, Retsos is also eight years younger than Rodwell.
Wilder will have a decision to make on the duo at the end of this campaign. Does he offer Rodwell a new deal, or take up the option to sign Retsos permanently from Leverkusen? Or sign both? Or neither?
In truth, if one of the centre-backs was most vulnerable to being usurped from the team it’s Basham. Despite his lack of game time, Rodwell is still clearly well regarded by Wilder and the rest of the United backroom staff.
Don’t be so sure that we won’t see more of him in a Blades shirt beyond 2019/20.
