Is Jack Rodwell proving to be the sale of the season?

Despite an early setback in the shape of a League Cup exit to fallen giants Leeds United Everton have started the season in magnificent style. A lot of that is down to an impressive summer in the transfer window, where they picked up snippet buys such as Kevin Mirallas and Steven Pienaar; not to mention the free transfer of Steven Naismith and added strength in depth brought by the Costa Rican international Bryan Oviedo.

This process all started in January of course, as David Moyes capitalised on the financial turmoil at Rangers to cash in on predatory striker Nikica Jelavic and raid Manchester United for spare parts in the form of Darron Gibson, who has become integral in the heart of their midfield.

It is a while since Everton brought six first team players in during a calendar year, 2008 in fact which saw the first arrival of Steven Pienaar, Maraoune Fellaini, Louis Saha amongst others including Lars Jacobsen and Carlo Nash.

In order to do this there has clearly been a well-planned transfer policy in place; as Everton have trimmed wages and made money on sales. Joseph Yobo’s long expected exit finally came to fruition while Louis Saha was let go in January. Tim Cahill’s exit freed up room on the wage bill for Steven Pienaar, and judging by his recent spell with injuries it should have been a warning light that Jack Rodwell may well be following him out of the exit door.

It was long expected that Rodwell would move to Manchester United, where Sir Alex Ferguson was constantly named as being a long-term admirer of the midfield battler but city rivals Manchester City stole in with a £12million move, and Everton snapped their hands off.

So is it proving the sale of the season so far?

There is no doubt Rodwell is talented, and the sale would never have been in the thought he was not going to become a very successful player at Goodison Park, but with his injury record cashing in on him just made business sense.

The money has been used wisely in the market, with Kevin Mirallas in particular looking a sharp buy and considering Rodwell’s poor start to his Manchester City career, including a woeful back-pass against Borussia Dortmund in mid-week for the here and now the deal seems to have been good business for Everton as the fruits of their labour sees them flying high in the Premier League.

Saying that it has also thinned the squad, and when rotation was attempted, Moyes’ men were humbled by Leeds United.

So it is a tough one to call, but what do you think ….

Is Jack Rodwell the sale of the season ….?

image: © gordonflood