DAVID MOYES is right to be relaxed about Jack Rodwell’s future.
There’s no doubt that any potential suitors for the 18-year-old will have sat back and admired his solo goal against Manchester United on Saturday along with the rest of us.
Except Sir Alex Ferguson perhaps.
But if the Old Trafford manager is, as has been suggested, planning another swoop on Goodison Park, then it says everything about where David Moyes is taking Everton at the moment that he’s likely to be sent away with his tail between his legs.
It’s not that the relative lack of money in football just now would necessarily put off the likes of United, Arsenal or Chelsea – the big clubs will always find a way of getting the cash for players they want.
It’s more to do with the fact that Everton is undoubtedly the perfect place for youngsters like Rodwell to progress and mature into top footballers.
It’s a totally different situation to Wayne Rooney.
He was only 18 when he left but he had already become an international superstar with his performances in Euro 2004. He was always going to move on and it just couldn’t be prevented.
And given what he has achieved since, you can’t say it wasn’t a good move for him or that he went too early.
And consider the circumstances at Everton back then. They had just come off the back of a 17th place finish in the Premier League and seemed light years away from the top four.
They surprised everyone by actually finishing in the Champions League places that season – but it would be another couple of years before Moyes would establish them as regular European qualifiers.
It’s a bit different now. In the Premier League if you leave Everton, there’s not really many options left for you if you want to further your career.
And don’t forget, we don’t really know what Rodwell’s best position will end up being. We were always led to believe he would eventually mature into a centre-back but when you see him on Saturday as a cultured midfield player with a change of pace and the ability to get you a goal, suddenly you’re having a rethink.
And that’s why sticking with Everton and being surrounded by the people who know you best is what Rodwell has to do.
That way, Everton get the best out of him for at least a few years and he will give himself the chance to be the best player he can be and fulfil his exciting potential.
JUST a quick reality check – a great win over Manchester United has to be built on in Lisbon this week.
There’s no excuse for the kind of complacency that came after beating Manchester City, when Birmingham knocked Everton out of the FA Cup a week later.
