Rodwell, Wilshere and Jones: A Story of Failed Potential

23rd January 2020
Jack-Rodwell-southport

Southport’s own Jack Rodwell returned to the Premier League in a move to Sheffield United after starting the 2019/20 season without a club. The 28-year-old is in dire need of a spark to re-ignite his career after failing to deliver on his potential in the top flight in the past in spells at Everton, Manchester City and Sunderland. He found game time at Blackburn in the Championship and enjoyed a decent run in a new position at centre-back.

Blades boss Chris Wilder noted the standard of his performances and has offered Rodwell a lifeline at the highest level, although he may find life tough to break into the team at Bramall Lane given the form of United in the Premier League this term.

Rodwell’s story is one that has often been seen at the highest level when young players are touted for great things, but never quite realise their potential. He more than most has been derailed by injuries, while his attitude was questioned during his time with Sunderland. It’s a tale that has been seen before and we’ll now look at other players from England of his generation that have failed to live up to expectations.

Jack Wilshere

Wilshere should be lining up for Arsenal on a regular basis as the heart of their midfield in surges towards the Premier League title along with leading England into Euro 2020. As it stands, the 27-year-old’s career has been knocked off course due to his durability.

He has not blossomed into the player that many expected could be one of the best at his position in the world. Wilshere displayed flashes of quality in both the Premier League and for England, but every time he made significant strides forward there was an injury awaiting around the corner.

Arsenal have been hurt by his lack of development and they were eventually forced to cut ties with him two years ago. West Ham have not seen a great deal from the 28-year-old during his two seasons with the club. The Three Lions have been able to move on and are still one of the leading contenders in the international football betting odds to win Euro 2020, although with a healthy Wilshere at the peak of his potential they could well have dominated the tournament and perhaps the past World Cup.

Phil Jones

Jones was one described by Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton as the next Duncan Edwards. Edwards was widely regarded as the finest player ever produced by England before his untimely death at the age just 21 in the Munich Air Disaster. Those comparisons between Jones and Edwards were unfair at the time and perhaps placed too much of a burden on the defender. There were high hopes that he could be the main centre-back and the future captain of Manchester United and England after he signed for the Red Devils from Blackburn in 2011 for £16.5m.

He did enjoy a solid start under Ferguson, but following the departure of the Scot, high-profile errors have become a large part of his game along with injuries. Jones has never been able to develop into the dominant defender that he was touted to become. He has only played six times for United this term as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lost faith in the defender, who notably struggled in the EFL Cup against Manchester City. He appears to be on the way out with Harry Maguire being signed as the defender and the captain that Jones should have been at Old Trafford.