Rodwell off target with ‘jobless’ claim

JACK Rodwell’s self-serving interview will cut little ice with Sunderland fans, writes JAMES HUNTER.

Rodwell has spoken at length to the Daily Mail, in response to the Chronicle’s story which revealed this week that he had asked to move on and that the club had offered to cancel his contract so he can leave for nothing.

The problem is that Rodwell would have to agree to the club tearing up his £70,000-per-week deal that still has another 18 months to run – a request that he insists is ‘unfair’. It is certainly unlikely. But fairness works both ways, and it would have been interesting to ask him whether he considers the 76 first-team appearances he has made during his three and a half years on Wearside a fair return for the £10m fee Sunderland paid for him, and the £12.74m wages he has earned during that time.

Considering the money he has banked, it was very unwise of Rodwell to appeal for sympathy by saying that walking away would leave him ‘jobless’.

At other times, the interview stretches credibility.

Rodwell claims he is still a Premier League player, although performances suggest otherwise.

But if and when Rodwell leaves Sunderland, if he can reignite his career elsewhere, good luck to him.

First, he must find a club that is willing to give him a chance.

Sunderland need him off the books this month to give them a chance to bring in players who could help them win their fight for Championship survival.

Because as things stand there is a very real chance the Black Cats could be playing League One football next season and, if Rodwell stays, the prospect of carrying a £70,000- per-week passenger for 12 months at that level is unthinkable.

Rodwell (pictured) goes on to say: “The transfer window has two weeks to run and I’m prepared to do anything to play — any decision will be based on the chance to play, not money.”

Assuming that is the case, and given there is no prospect of him playing at Sunderland, it rather makes you wonder why he is still here.