Everton’s Jack Rodwell: The Future is Now

Back when I was a wee boy, my grandfather used to sit me on his knee and fill my head with his sage advice.  One such golden nugget was that “when one door closes… another opens.” And so it is for Everton Football Club.  Manager David Moyes’s decision to banish Manchester City-target Jolean Lescott from his squad has given an opportunity for young starlet Jack Rodwell to shine – and the 18-year-old has seized that opportunity with both hands.  During Thursday night’s first-leg victory over Sigma Olomouc, Rodwell scored two long-range goals – one thrilling, the other absolutely breathtaking.  The lad’s got talent.  Everyone’s been saying it since he first featured for Everton in 2007, becoming in the process the youngest-ever player to compete in Europe .  Since then, his appearances have largely been limited to England ’s Under-18 and Under-21 games, but on Thursday night Rodwell showed that he can play with the big boys.  Hell, he can give them all a lesson in shooting from 25 yards out.  The bottom line is Moyes will benefit greatly in his push for the Champions League by playing Rodwell regularly this season.  And as Rodwell matures into a first-class defender, the club’s biggest challenge may well be holding onto their prized asset and preventing him from fleeing for richer pastures à la Wayne Rooney.

Watch Rodwell’s two goals from Everton’s highlights against Sigma Olomouc: