Jack Rodwell feature (Barclays Premier League Newsletter, 12/09)

possession, and strength inboth the tackle and airhave seen him likened toRio Ferdinand and linked toan early exit from the club,much like Rooney.

Rodwell’s record-breaking rise through theranks – at 16 and 284 dayshe became the youngest

ever Toffees player tofeature in Europe – showsjust how much boss DavidMoyes trusts him

Since breaking into thefirst team at Goodison Parkhe has been deployedpredominantly in a holdingmidfield role, despitestarting his career as a

centre-back, much likeFerdinand. “It’s brilliant tobe compared with such aplayer as Rio Ferdinand,”Rodwell said.

“I have always looked atRio and wanted to play likehim. I played against himin the FA Cup semi-finaland managed to get hisshirt which was brilliant.He took mine as well.”

Indeed, it was duringlast season’s FA Cup semi-final against ManchesterUnited that Rodwellproduced an assureddisplay to help send hisboyhood heroes into thefinal, where Everton lost 2-1 against Chelsea.

When he recovers fromhis hamstring injury laterthis month, many expect

Fabio Capello to keep aclose eye on him ahead ofthe World Cup as he couldwell fill the void vacated byOwen Hargreaves in theEngland squad. Should hego to South Africa, hewould link-up with theman he has replaced asEverton’s hero down thespine of the side; Rooneyfilling the creative rolebetween attack andmidfield, with Rodwellbreaking up the opponents’advances with aplomb.

“I just want to do thebest I can, which meansplaying for the England fullside one day, and carry onplaying well for Everton,”said Rodwell.

A simple mantra froman incredible talent.

By Simon Peach

NIL satis nisi optimum:Nothing but the best isgood enough.

Everton’s club mottoseems to have particularresonance nowadaysthanks to the quality ofplayers that are rolling offtheir production line.

Few clubs can competewith the class ofyoungsters that havecome through theirmuch-fabled youthsystem in recent times,from Leon Osman toWayne Rooney. Now thereis another gem inEverton’s academy crown:Jack Rodwell.

Despite his recentinjury setback, Rodwellhas transcended from ballboy to the cusp of theEngland side in just fouryears. Since being spottedby Everton scouts, he hasprogressed from youthteams to the reserves, andis now a fully-fledgedBarclays Premier Leaguestarlet at the age of 18.

His elegant runs,economic play, ease in

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INJURY CAN’T STOP EVERTON STARLET JACK

FULL NAME: Jack ChristianRodwellBORN: 11/03/1991BIRTHPLACE: SouthportPOSITION: Defensive midfielderHEIGHT: 6ft 2CLUB:EVERTON (2007-)NUMBER: 26INTERNATIONAL RECORD:England U19 (6 apps)England U21 (8 apps/ 2 goals)

HONOURS:England U16: Victory Shield(2006), The AlgarveTournament (2008)Everton: FA Cup Final, runner-upmedal (2009)England U21: EuropeanChampionship, runner-up medal(2009)DID YOU KNOW?Rodwell is the nephew of formerBlackpool winger Tony Rodwell.

RODWELL FACTFILE

Rodwell’s on aroll for Toffees

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Jack Rodwell is the latest Everton star who may follow in the footsteps of previousGoodison star, Wayne Rooney, and his displays could earn him a World Cup spot

Cole hopesBlues keeppressureoff KakutaCHELSEA midfielder Joe Coleinsists the club must keep thepressure off starlet Gael Kakuta,below, in order to allow thetalented teenager to reach his fullpotential.

Cole is no stranger topressures of the game at a youngage after working his way upthrough the West Ham youthacademy.

He was touted as one of thehottest talents in English footballas a youngster and quicklyprogressed through the ranks atUpton Park to make his first-teamdebut at the age of 17.

Cole received national mediaattention as he shone in theEngland youth team as well ashelping the Hammers win the FAYouth Cup in 1999.

But he was allowed to progressunhindered in the West Ham firstteam and learned his trade, bothon and off the pitch, beforemoving to Chelsea in 2003 for£6.6million.

Cole said: “Gael has a lot ofskill and has a big future forChelsea and France but we needto keep the pressure off him, havehim play a game here and a gamethere and enjoy his football. Heshould not have too muchpressure on him.

“He has all the talent in theworld and just wants to learn.He’s very intelligent, he knowswhat he wants and is a really bigplayer for the future.”

FULHAM defender AaronHughes has marked the likes ofEmile Heskey for more than adecade in the Premier League –and he believes team-mateBobby Zamora is as tough asany striker in England.

Zamora, above, is comparableto Heskey as neither haveparticularly good goal-scoringrecords, but both offer a hugephysical presence to lead theline.

“For a striker, it’s not justabout his goals,” said theNorthern Ireland centre-back.“His all-round play, hismovement off the ball and hishold-up play creates space andchances for others.

“He’s a big, massive part ofour squad. When he’s not in thesquad we miss him. He’s a vitalpart of our team.”

MARK HUGHES has ruled outthe possibility of Joe Hartleaving Manchester City.

Hart was allowed to joinBirmingham on a season-longloan in a bid to further hisdevelopment after losing hisfirst-team place to Shay Given inthe middle of last season.

Hart has been a pivotal figurein Birmingham’s rise up thetable, triggering speculationthat the England international,who is an outside contender tomake Fabio Capello’s World Cupsquad, might stay permanently.

It is certainly something Bluesboss Alex McLeish would like tosee happen, and he said: “Ourview on Joe has not changed.He is an outstanding ‘keeperand we are pleased that he is aManchester City player.”

Zamora can cutit with the bestsays Hughes

City boss rulesout Hart exit