Can Jack Rodwell ever realise his potential?

As Jack Rodwell limped out of yet another game at Villa Park on Monday night, it begs the question of whether or not he can realise his proper potential.

Rodwell made his first team debut for Everton at the age of just 16, going on to make just 85 appearances in an injury plagued 5 years at Goodison Park. Rodwell’s misfortune with injury has continued following his summer move to Premier League champions Manchester City, missing 4 months of the season with a hamstring injury, an injury described by Rodwell himself as easily the worst of his short career.

From a young age, Rodwell had had a reputation as a powerful central midfield player.  He is strong in the tackle, dominant in the air and has an eye for a pass, attributes that make him equally comfortable at the heart of the back four.  At International level he has played for his country at every level, with 2 caps in the senior side.

Monday nights recurrence of the hamstring injury which has plagued so much of Rodwell’s season already will surely raise question marks as to whether or not the player can remain injury free for an entire season, let alone go on to captain club and country as many were sure he would while watching him grow up in the spotlight at Everton having made his first team debut so young.

Having said that, there was a time when there were question marks over the injury record of another midfielder from Merseyside, and Steven Gerrard didn’t turn out too bad, did he?

Aaron SharpFollow @ajs26061988