Once upon a time Jack Rodwell was the next big England hope, either a midfielder who could defend or a defender who could play the ball, now he can't get in Sunderland's failing side but he dreams of a return to international duty.
When Rodwell first came through the ranks at Everton aged just 16 a lot was expected of him and he impressed enough in four years playing fairly regularly that Roberto Mancini decided to sign him for Manchester City.
Even then that looked like an optimistic move for the player but he would hardly be the first or last Englishman to move to one of the big six only for it not to work out the way they hoped.
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Rodwell isn't the most obscure player to win an England cap, remember some of these?
A move to Sunderland followed but he has still never lived up to expectation, famously went 37 starts without a win for the club, helped them get relegated and now can't get into a team that are struggling in the Championship.
Chris Coleman wants to get rid of the 26 year old and there has been calls for him to walk away from the club but in a wide ranging interview with the Daily Mail he backed his ability and claimed he could play for England again, saying:
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"I do believe I'm a Premier League player and I do believe I'm an England international when I'm fit and on form.
"...Growing up through the England ranks I was captain and those three senior caps have left me wanting more. I still think it's well within my reach, especially at centre back. I just need a good run where I can really express myself and people say, 'Wow, Jack's back.'"
He has won the Premier League with City but currently not playing in a Championship side means he has drawn criticism for his reported £70,000-a-week wages. Rodwell though says that's no reason for him to walk away from the club:
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"I think it's unfair to ask that of a player. I haven't put in a transfer request but I understand the club's stance and their position and, because of that, I understand it's beneficial for everyone if I move on.
"But it's not the fault of any footballer if a club decides to pay you a certain amount. I have worked from seven years old to get here; to then ask someone to just throw it away, that's difficult."
That time we predicted England's team for Euro 2020:
Rodwell added that he sees his future at centre back saying, "It was only when I was fast-tracked into the first team, they put me in midfield, it was a bit safer. I do wonder, 'What if?' If I'd just said, 'I'm a centre back', where would I be now?
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"The game has changed a lot. Centre backs now are ball-playing and a lot of midfielders drop in there. I know the position. I'm big enough, I'm quick enough, I'm good in the air. I've got the tools.'
When he moved to City Mancini did try to play a 3-5-2 with Rodwell as the ball playing centre back but the experiment with a back three didn't work out, now everyone seems to play that system.
Can Rodwell ever get back to where he was?
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