Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United saw the same issue but Sunderland took the real hit | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United didn't see the worst of Jack Rodwell's declining career

Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United were unable to get Jack Rodwell’s career back on track but both clubs can at least take solace that they didn’t suffer the same hit as Sunderland.

The midfielder was seen as one of the most promising young stars of English football when he burst onto the scene at Everton.

He broke into the first team squad at Goodison Park from the academy system, earning his Premier League debut from David Moyes just days before his 17th birthday.

Rodwell’s real breakout moment came when he scored a spectacular solo effort against champions Manchester United to cap off a memorable 3-1 win on 20 February 2010.

The youngster’s promising form led to a big money move to Manchester City in the 2012 summer transfer window.

However, he ended up making just 16 appearances in the top flight across two years at the Etihad before joining Sunderland in 2014.

Jack Rodwell’s rapid career decline

By the time he joined Blackburn in August 2018, Rodwell had spent a tumultuous four years with the Black Cats in which he became a lightning rod for supporter frustration.

The midfielder failed to impress during his time at the Stadium of Light, making 65 appearances in the Premier League.

He failed to recapture the kind of form that had everyone so excited during his time as a youngster at Everton, and it was alongside his former boss Moyes that the club earned relegation to the Championship.

Rodwell made two appearances in the second tier, and was criticised for his application while on a deal worth £70,000 per week, which reportedly led to Sunderland offering to terminate his contract.

Blackburn were hoping that a change in scenery and a fresh start could get Rodwell back on track, as he was still only 27 by the time he made the move to Ewood Park.

Unfortunately for the Lancashire outfit, injuries prevented him from playing too important of a role during his single campaign with the club.

However, he did show some promise and proved a versatile and useful part of Tony Mowbray’s side.

This led to a return to the Premier League with Sheffield United, as he signed for Chris Wilder’s team after his contract with Rovers expired.

But just one appearance in the top flight effectively ended his career at the highest level, as Rodwell departed English football at the end of the 2020/21 season after making zero league appearances for the Blades as they suffered relegation from the Premier League.

Jack Rodwell’s Australian adventure

Following Rodwell’s departure from Sheffield United, he made the big move to Australia, where he signed for Western Sydney Wanderers.

The now 34-year-old was away from the spotlight, and relieved of the pressure, he featured 14 times in his first A-League season, contributing three goals.

Rodwell finished his playing career with two more seasons down under, although he made the move to Sydney FC for 2022/23 and 2023/24, where he played on 17 occasions in the Australian top flight.

Sydney FC earned fifth and fourth place finishes before Rodwell departed the club at the end of his contract.

The midfielder has not played since, and is effectively retired from professional football.

Sheffield United and Blackburn weren’t able to turn things around for his career in England, but they can still take solace years later from the fact their gamble didn’t go as spectacularly wrong as Sunderland’s.