Everton sell Rodwell to Man City

, 12 August, 319comments  |  Jump to most recent
£12m deal (rising to £15m) concluded this evening

Everton have agreed to sell Jack Rodwell to Manchester City in a deal worth £12m up front and a potential £3m in add-ons.

The 21-year-old England midfielder underwent a medical at the Etihad stadium today after flying back from Spain where he was an unused substitute during the Blues' final pre-season game against Malaga last night.

The swiftly-concluded deal comes a little over four and a half years since the Academy graduate made his debut for Everton's senior side against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.

In that time, the local lad from Birkdale made the full-time breakthrough to David Moyes's first team that everyone expected and by the 2009-10 season he was arguably the hottest domestic prospect in Premier League.

Two stunning strikes against Sigma Olomouc in the Europa League and a marauding goal against Manchester United in a famous 3-1 home win were the jewels in what would be his best season for his boyhood club.

Media speculation regarding with a move to the likes of Chelsea or Manchester United inevitably followed but he committed his future to the Blues in the summer of 2010 by signing a new, improved contract.

Unfortunately, despite that electrifying early promise, Rodwell's momentum plateaued the following season when injury sidelined him for two months early on in the campaign and he struggled to regain any consistency of form.

And last season was to be even more frustrating as a succession of niggling hamstring problems saw him in and out of the side before ending his campaign altogether in the spring of 2012.

With that went his chances of competing either in Euro2012 for England or at the London Olympics for Team GB and he was forced to focus on getting fit for what was anticipated to be a crucial season for him at Everton.

His move to Manchester caught many by surprise, particularly as he had barely figured in the usual close-season press rumour-mongering. Despite near-continuous links with a move to Old Trafford over the last few years, there was no competition for Roberto Mancini from Sir Alex Ferguson when Sky Sports broke the first news of City's interest in Rodwell.

Though he didn't agitate for the move and he might even have preferred to stay at Goodison, the midfielder now gets the opportunity to get his career back on track in the competitive environs of the reigning Champions, although he will have his work cut out to force his way into City's star-studded midfield. It is believed that he will treble his salary with a $100,000-a-week deal at the Eithad Stadium.

All told, Rodwell played 85 times for the Blues scoring four goals and made his international debut for England last November.

Mancini, spoke to ITV Sport before the Community Shield match against Chelsea, saying: “Jack is a young player - he will be an important midfielder for the England national team for the future, and for us I hope.

“We needed to put in (midfield) a player with a good attitude, who wants to win, and I think he will be a top player for sure.”

Though there have been rumours of a potential swap involving Adam Johnson there are no suggestions so far that the City winger is involved in the deal.

Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Echo



Reader Comments (319)

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James Martin
1 Posted 12/08/2012 at 13:34:32
Strange move this one, Jack never seemed the type who'd angle for a move and for once we looked like we didn't have to sell. Was the money just too good to resist or did he want to go?

I can't help but feel he was underused at Everton, clearly not a midfielder but he had some potent weapons such as incredible pace and great technique, would of made a great centreback. Sadly for a club like us who have to play at our best for every result we could never really put him in the back line whilst the likes of Jagielka and Heitinga are around.

Hopefully Moyes will see some of this money to spend and will bring in someone with pace and creativity. We still need a player to replace Arteta, our midfield three is too workaday with all of the creative burden falling on osman. Arteta Mk II to go alongside Osman and Gibson would be a great three.

Selling players is part of football life as Arsenal have found out at the hands of Man City, but for some reason the press seem to rub their hands in glee whenever its us doing the selling.
Phil Sammon
2 Posted 12/08/2012 at 13:47:39
'Incredible pace'

Did he?!

Anto Byrne
3 Posted 12/08/2012 at 13:36:07
Good enough for England... not good enough for Everton.

Mancini will get the best out of Jack – unlike Moyes who should have gone this summer.
James Martin
4 Posted 12/08/2012 at 13:50:50
Yes Phil, the problem was he never used it for some reason. I remember him tearing Ashley Cole down the wing, and when he played for England some of his openfield running was very quick, it even cuaght Capello's eye.

Unfortunately for Everton all we ever used to see was this strange shuffling about in front of the centrebacks, he was like Gerrard but without the midfielders brain and without the aggression. We should have used him at centreback earlier, him and Heitinga would have been as classy as they come int erms of ball playing ability from the back.

Distin won't last for ever and Heitinga could jump ship at any minute. At some point we're going to have to replace at least one if not two of our three CBs and at what price? Duffy and Rodwell could have been the future secured in that position, now we'll never know.
Matt Garen
5 Posted 12/08/2012 at 13:45:37
Great deal for us and for Jack. I actually think he will play more games for City than us. He won't start over Gibson and Fellaini.

De Jong seems likely to move on and Gareth Barry is truly fucking shit so I can see him playing. Let's be honest, the potential has never really developed from just that so if it is £15M and Moyes brings in a decent right mid and left back cover with the £7M he will probably be given, then it's win-win.

Good luck to the lad.
John Audsley
6 Posted 12/08/2012 at 13:54:00
Let's be honest, he is the one player we have that clubs will pay top dollar for and we can do without him.

In lots of ways it's a shame but its the only way Moyes will get any money to spend so im all for it in the current Blue Bill climate.

If Moyes can bring in 2/3 players just like he did when Lescott went I will be happy and its a while till transfer deadline day. I just hope we don't get the usual spin from the club saying things like "He asked to leave" or "It was Rodwell's decision"

I'm pretty sure this is a Kenwright and Moyes decision.

Phil Sammon
7 Posted 12/08/2012 at 13:58:33
I've never seen anything to suggest he's a centre-back.

In fact I'd say his main flaw is his lack of aggression and his weakness in the tackle.

He's a very graceful CM with plenty of potential. But he seems to have zero self-belief

Brent Stephens
8 Posted 12/08/2012 at 14:07:47
Regardless of the pros and cons about Rodwell himself, this makes the sale of any of Fellaini, Baines etc less likely? A good thing.
Michael Murphy
9 Posted 12/08/2012 at 14:00:49
He's got ability but I never felt we were a good fit for him. Flashes of brilliance i.e. vs Utd but never seemed to grab a game and take charge. It would be a gamble to turn down decent offer in the hope he would start to fulfil his potential next year.

If the fee is £20 mill then it's a great bit of business for someone who may not have even started next year. I say re invest in some width and try to bring the average age of the squad down.

Jos Rowland
10 Posted 12/08/2012 at 13:52:24
Great business from Everton, if it stops us selling the likes of Baines, Fellaini, Jelavic, Heitinga... then great!

All the Rodwell lovers who are still around take note. He was highly overrated, to me very lazy, and all the give him time he's only young rubbish was wearing thin, the lad had played nearly 100 times for us and only had 3 good games maximum!

To sell for a big fee when his value was diminishing is fantastic and if we can bring in a few players in needed areas such as striker and right winger then great, we will not start slow because we sold Rodwell if we do it will be because we always do because Rodwell was not a regular starting 11 player, Donovan would be good!!
Aidy Dews
11 Posted 12/08/2012 at 14:10:27
Apparently the fee is £15m upfront and then there's add-ons for achievments such as appearences, cup wins etc after that so you can bet it'll total upto £20m or more?!

Personally it's a great deal for us and one Moyesy wouldn't have given the green light to if he didn't think he wouldn't get all the money!.

And I'm not Rodwell's biggest fan but I think that's a great move for him as well. Be at a club now with a lot of top players to learn from and, with the way City try to play, it will suit him better than it would with us, IMO.

Hopefully now Moyesy has got targets lined up and we can squad build with quality cos, if we get in the right player for in the right areas, we could have a very good season! I'm a bit surprised we didn't try and get Adam Johnson as part of the deal but all in all it's a good one for us and hopefully we can sign some good players.

Zaid Omar
12 Posted 12/08/2012 at 14:15:19
This could be a turning point for the Club if the money is reinvested and spent wisely.. in the last couple of years I have felt that we have become a bit too predictable with the way we set up and we have been craving some sort of creativity other than Pienaar for a while.. We saw how the signing of Jelavic reignited our fortunes early this year and who knows, one or two shrewd signings with the proceeds and we could turn out to be a half-decent team.
Mark Wilson
13 Posted 12/08/2012 at 13:43:58
Jim Knightley #913 at last a balanced response to the Rodwell hysteria ! How long do you wait for "potential" to show even a small sign of being realised ? Rodwell is the most over hyped player I've seen for 20 years. He's average at best and the fact that he's just been picked, again, for an England squad demonstrates how desperate our national team is. He seems like a really nice lad, sensible, hard working, athletic and yes he could mature into a half decent player but it's a gamble. He is injury prone and, crucially, slow to recover. I'd have sold him in any wheeler dealing regardless of dire finances. My guess is that Moyes gets £9m or £10m out of this and £5m goes to the next 12 month shortfall. Not great that but better than expected if it turns out to be true.

I think we will end up with two buys AND a free or loan out of this deal. We have created the salary headroom so it makes sense and the squad gets a significant boost. All this and we may now avoid the need to sell Baines or Felli. Overall a very fair outcome providing Moyes gets that money to spend.

Jim Knightley
14 Posted 12/08/2012 at 14:29:00
Phil, I consider 15million or more to be an excessive amount. Downing went for too much, as did Henderson etc...however, players like Michu, Cisse, Tiote, Cabaye, Siggurdsson etc etc, have gone for alot less. If we get 15million, it will be a fantastic amount. We just better not buy British with it, because British costs double.

And I'm not sure about our financial situation, all I have is the evidence we all have to go on. The past couple of summers, we have sold without bringing anyone for any real value. In January, we had to sell Billy before buying (and managed to get rid of Saha). But this summer, we brought Pienarr, without bringing in any significant money. We've also decreased our wages considerably with the departures of Arteta, Cahill, Saha, Billy, Yakubu, Yobo, Beckford, Rodwell and fringe players. There is no doubt that our wage bill has decreased considerably, and we've made a good net saving in transfers. I don't see why Moyes wouldnt recieve 10mil of an estimated 15million sell fee.

And City have gone for Rodwell, because De Jong looks to be going next season, and Barry is getting older. I think they will regret not spending the money on Fellaini personally.

Matt Butlin
15 Posted 12/08/2012 at 14:37:31
This is a great bit of business. I didn't imagine that Rodwell would make any impression for us this season and I just hope that the figures being quoted are true.

Fingers crossed he passes the medical then City can hand over the cash and set about carving a Rodwell shaped arse groove in their bench.

John Crawley
16 Posted 12/08/2012 at 14:41:16
A couple of thoughts on this. If this is down to Moyes deciding that it's a good deal and he can use that money to strengthen the squad then I'm behind it. Pardue did a similar thing last year with the Newcastle squad and it worked out well.

However,if this is down to the Board having to sell to appease the banks and Moyes will be left with the scraps then that is another matter altogether. The next few weeks will tell us which it is but my money is on the latter.

With regard to Rodwell, to me he's got all the attributes to be a top class player except for aggression and desire. Without those I don't think anyone will ever see him reach his potential. It will be interesting to see how he develops at City.
Chris Clarke
17 Posted 12/08/2012 at 14:53:38
Good luck Jack, you have bags of talent and potential. Maybe now you can fulfil that talent and let everyone see what a great player you are. Clearly under Moyes this was never going to happen as yet again, Moyes has destroyed a talented young blue who had so much to offer.
Paul Gladwell
18 Posted 12/08/2012 at 14:50:24
Alan Irvine said in the Evertonian that there is too much emphasis on why a footballer needs to have a physique like Vieira and that Barca have blown this myth out the water. I remember Moyes bleating a year or so back about the need for a team built with these type of players so maybe he has realised it's a load of shite and part of Rodwell's hype has been based on his physique and what he could be rather than what he has actually done.
Al Reddish
19 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:07:58
It'll be £20m to the bank and a couple of season long loans.
Jamie Barlow
20 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:06:53
Justin, it's not just about the transfer fee. If we got £15 mil for Rodwell, we also got rid of what, £35k a week. Those 3 players may cost us £15 mil but will also cost us about £150k (probably more) a week.
Justin Widdop
21 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:12:30
On the other side of the coin we have released plenty of players to free up wages. Yak, Strack, Cahill (£55,000) Mcfadden and the list goes on.
Paul Thompson
22 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:07:37
Some of this money will be spent. How much andon whom we'll probaby know over the next couple of weeks. And if we needed to raise decent money to do it, selling Rodwell made sense compared to other options. He has not fullfilled his potential at Everton. Let some other club who can afford to take the risk of fulfilling it.
Andrew Ellams
23 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:16:01
Justin, I think you'll find most of that was to lower the wage bill, not reduce it. And don't forget the new contract and increased salary that Fellaini now has.
Jamie Barlow
24 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:15:39
We've released players because we're skint, not so we can spend more on wages.
Andrew Ellams
25 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:17:46
I'd like to think Moyes knew this was coming and has already made some calls to ask about other players.
Mark Riding
26 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:19:06
I cant see it being the £20M Sky are saying, and having watched the Charity Shield, I cant see him getting a game either!
Justin Widdop
27 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:20:30
Whoever (if any) we sign the truth is that every player has their price and £15 million for Jack is a great deal for us.
David Chait
28 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:10:24
I was hoping Rodwell wold fulfil his potential here, but became convinced it might not happen. So although I'm not sure this is the best club for him, it's good for his progression to have moved on. For us, it's our most competitive position and one we could afford to lose one player. Rodders makes sense, but really our long term partnership should have been him and Fella.

This does allow us to buy a player of quality for the right. But Moyes likes to get numbers. I hope he does the former and we build a stronger starting 11. I don't like the sounds of some of the names mentioned and would hope he goes for a European talent (hows that for a generalization about talent and price).

As much as I am a Donovan fan, not sure I want to replace a 21 yr old for a +30 yr old. Good luck Moyes.... Now we have some interests as deadline day approaches.

Phil Rodgers
29 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:24:36
If the money's right then we have got to sell. However, our squad is already the smallest I ever remember it being so some of it literally must be re-invested or we will be in massive trouble if we have a few injuries. Particularly up front we are very short.
David Chait
30 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:30:20
I was hoping Rodwell wold fulfil his potential here, but became convinced it might not happen. So although I'm not sure this is the best club for him, it's good for his progression to have moved on. For us, it's our most competitive position and one we could afford to lose one player. Rodders makes sense, but really our long term partnership should have been him and Fella.

This does allow us to buy a player of quality for the right. But Moyes likes to get numbers. I hope he does the former and we build a stronger starting 11. I don't like the sounds of some of the names mentioned and would hope he goes for a European talent (hows that for a generalization about talent and price).

As much as I am a Donovan fan, not sure I want to replace a 21-year-old for a +30-year-old.

Good luck Moyes.... Now we have some interests as deadline day approaches.

Brian Keating
31 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:36:44
Disaster? Not really sure. At least it's done earlier and not a deadline day deal.

If Moyes gets £7-10 million from it, it could work out very well.

Lloyd Farrell
32 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:46:52
OK, Now my chilled out sunday afternoon has been replaced with WTF. . . in really big font.

I think Rodwell going is only good news for Barkley. With the hope we "just" might see him play a bit more...

£15 / £20m is good business IMO... But I am not a business man. If Moyes gets 50% of this and the banks get the other 50%, it is a win-win situation.

Now, If Moyes gets feck all and the banks get 100% of the Rodwell money, I am sure there will be a few well pissed-off blues on here.

Sleepless night ahead...

Kevin Elliott
33 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:27:40
Good luck, Jack. You need to play for a quality side to show you're talent. City have got a steal for £15 mill – Mancini is no mug.
Phil Sammon
34 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:53:32
BK wouldnt lose Moyes over £15 mill. He knows how important he is to the club.
Andrew Ellams
35 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:57:24
Phil, I have long since given up on expecting Kenwright taking the best option for the club
David Barks
36 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:47:08
For reasons others have pointed out, it doesn't make sense financially to think that selling one player allows you to bring in a few other players totaling about the same as you received in the transfer fee. We were paying one player wages, then we would have to pay multiple players wages, costing us more money.

The only way selling a young player like this for this amount of money is if we had a couple of youngsters coming through in his position. That's how clubs in Portugal and Spain stay strong when the big boys buy their young stars. I can only hope that we see Barkley and the young kid Francisco Junior as these two players. I would rather us spend a decent chunk of the money we received on one quality player than a few who we think might be decent.

Stuart Mitchell
37 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:58:16
Moyes was pictured at City recently, so was probably discussing deals.

But if we have investment, why would we need to sell Rodwell?

I think its more likely to be small investment, maybe a buyout of one of the shareholders.

Lee Gray
38 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:57:18
Anyone who thinks Rodwell is going to be a top player is deluded – he can't get a game for us never mind City, I've never seen anything in his game to excite me.... best part of £40 million for Lescott and Rodwell is great business for me as long as it gets reinvested.
Steve Smith
39 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:44:58
Bid made, bid accepted, no haggling, no long drawn out arguments about values, I think it's safe to say that the price is exactly what we wanted, or more.

Good luck to him, in an ideal world, I would of kept him, on balance it's probably a good move for the club but not for Rodwells career, I'll be amazed if he plays more than ten games this season for City, so plenty of time to spend those extra wages.

The money HAS to be re-invested in the squad if we aspire to actually try to win something this season.
Barry Rathbone
40 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:54:24
If circa £15million we've done City again, absolutely sensational business.

Kudos to Moyes he's backed his own judgement and if he nears the impact of Jelavic/Gibson with another acquisition or two he'll have done fantastically well with this deal.

Lloyd Farrell
41 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:01:31
Stuart (#011) – But if we have investment, why would we need to sell Rodwell?

Rodwell hasnt done anything for us for the last two years and to get £15m+ can only be a good thing. Cant it ?

If we do have some form of investment, this wouldnt have anything to do with the playing staff, so selling Rodwell is till a + IMO. As We have some decent young talent for the midfield already at the club.

Will Rodwell be missed? I don't think so. Will we see more of Barkely? I hope so.

I will be happy if we give Moyes 50% and the bank 50% At least we have a few weeks left to re-invest in the team...

Kevin Elliott
42 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:06:55
Good luck Jack,hope you prove all youre doubters wrong.
And thanks to a true blue.
Stuart Mitchell
43 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:13:23
So £7.5m to spend on players and Ross Barkley up the pecking order?

Sounds good to me.

Anto Byrne
44 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:07:29
Totally different player for England, looks right at home, not restricted to the dull negative safety-first shite Moyes serves up. Barkely next to Man Utd for sure.

The only thing that should be sold is Everton as Kenwright cannot take this club forward with empty pockets. Rodwell is a class act and at 21 remember the rough diamond Fellaini was when he arrived.

I'm shocked, it's a sad day for Everton when we sell our homegrown players and bring in the mercenary 30-year-olds. Fuck off Moyes and Kenwright – you are destroying this great club.
Andrew Ellams
45 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:22:28
I'd rather see this money stretched as far as possible, just the wages and multiple signing-on fees being the stumbling block with that...
Ben Dyke
46 Posted 12/08/2012 at 15:20:40
I'm slightly disappointed we couldn't see this lad through a few more seasons to see him develop but sadly we have to accept that we are currently a selling club.

In the short term we will hopefully deal with some debt plus get two or three players in that enhance the squad. Please Davey get a right winger and another striker and midfielder.

Medium or longer term – who is next to be sold to keep this ship afloat. And what if we eventually sink or lose miracle worker (IMHO) captain of the ship Moyes.

Peter Mills
47 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:19:06
Some players make others around them play well. Some players need others around them to make them play well. I suspect Jack is in the latter category, and he will be a success at City.
Chris James
48 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:16:52
Totally amazing deal for us (and for Jack to).

Nothing against Jack but he's still totally unproven as a regular premier league player (far more a Jeffers than a Rooney if you like), seems pretty injury prone and is essentially a supporting figure in our squad right now.
We have a clutch of other youth players with potential in Duffy, Barkley, Junior and McAlney (not to mention the likes of Gueye, Coleman and Vellios that are already getting game time and frankly we need the cash for placating banks + strengthing some key positions with a little more proven talent rather more than we need another youth prospect who won't play.


I wonder if there's some box-ticking in this for Man City (e.g. quota of English/youth players for CL squad), but if not it seems a much better deal for us than for them.

David Barks
49 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:34:45
Jim,
Since when is 29 on the verge of retirment? 29 is when a player will be at his best. Van Persie is also 29, I guess he's done as well huh? You know what I want, a team full of players who we know can perform. Get Dempsey and you know you can rely on him to improve our team. Get a couple of youngsters and you might see "nominal transfer fee" next to their name in a couple of seasons when they're sold to a Championship club. I want proven players to join the club, I want to get into Europe now. I'm tired of hoping this youngster or that one will come good.
Anthony Millington
50 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:39:27
I wish we'd have signed Diame on a free as a Rodwell replacement and maybe someone like Hoilett on the cheap, then we'd have the extra 10 mill or so to use on a winger or striker! Now, we'll end up signing spending good money on a replacement on someone probably not any better than Diame! We should have took advantage on the players available on free's this summer!
Steavey Buckley
51 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:38:08
This is a big error selling an Evertonian to a mercenary club like Man City for just 15 million pounds. And the big worry, Rodwell to receive 100,000 a week, sending out a loud and clear message to other prized assets, if you want more money, go somewhere else like Man City. At a time when Fellaini and Gibson are injured. BK laughing all the way to the bank?
Andrew Ellams
52 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:41:54
That's an ideal world David, but Moyes biggest strength which even the naysayers can't dispute is his ability to dig out a younger player, or one whose career is stalling and getting them in at a good price for the club and polishing them up into a bette player and I suspect this is were this money may go. ie Phillips from Blackpool and players of that ilk
Phil Sammon
53 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:44:39
I don't think a replacement for Rodwell is necessary. We have Gibson, Fellaini, Osman, Nev, Barkley and now even Cisco competing for CM places. Lundstrum looks decent too.

The money has to go on a quickish winger and a striker.

Jem Traynor
54 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:39:25
A great bit of business and all the best to Jack as it never looked like it was going to happen for him while at EFC. Hopefully now Moyes can make some decent signings, ie, no Bilyaletdinov types – just some decent right-sided winger and or a couple of semi-accomplished young hopefuls to boost squad numbers and provide more competition for the likes of Barkley et al.
Ian Glassey
55 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:41:12
A good deal for us I think, if any player had to go Rodwell was the one.. We could not afford to lose Baines or Felli , Rodwell not a regular starter and think he was behind the likes of Pip for a midfield place.
In a perfect world would like a right winger, classy midfielder and backup striker....
Gary Heywood
56 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:04:19
Great business for Everton. We should have sold him a season or two ago and probably would have got £5m more.

Rodwell is a typical example of an over hyped young prospect. It is in Everton's interest to over hype him because we are now a selling club and need to make maximum profits , especially when selling on youth players. Everyone at Everton knew that after a season or two he wasn't really living up to expectations;he couldn't gain a regular place in the side;he had little command in games,poor passer,poor tackler,poor goalscorer,poor at shooting,not captain material etc;no one could decide what his best position was;he became increasingly injury prone and yet everyone at Everton still insisted he was the real deal to those ready to splash the cash.

They kept promoting him in advertising material because he's eye candy and to make it look like he's still has superster status at Everton. The laughable pundits in the media, of course, went along with all of this hype, as well as, the clueless England manager Hodgson.

In a way clubs like Everton are lucky to have clubs like Man. City.They always want to be on the bak pages. They have so much cash they aren't bothered about spending spending on over hyped players. It makes headlines.£15m plus is nothing to them but a big bonus to a club like Everton. The club propaganda about Rodwell has eventually been rewarded. I'm pleased City still have Mancini because he is overrated as a manager and will always be prone to wasting lots of money on transfers.

Simon Harris
57 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:42:56
Good luck Jack from a fellow Birkdale blue. It's a pity it didn't work out, but you can leave knowing your transfer fee will keep us afloat for another few seasons.
Steve Mink
58 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:52:16
£15m in the bank,
Reduces need for Baines sale,
Lifts Barclay up the pecking order.

What's not to like?

I for one will be interested to find out whether Rodwell can hack it in that company. I'd love to see him do well.

Duncan McDine
59 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:56:32
Great bit of business and WTF? — it's not 31 Aug... surely that doesn't mean another player or two on the way in?!!!!! Fuck me!

I wish the lad well but have never seen him play a game at more than 50% effort. Even Lionel Messi would be ordinary with that attitude.

Neil Adams
60 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:57:34
Exactly what I was going to say Steve (52). This ticks all the right boxes for both club and player. Yes it confirms our status as a "selling club" but everyone already knows this and we have cashed in on the one asset that most Blues probably don't mind seeing leave.

He'll do OK at Citeh I think, most likely as a replacement for De Jong who is in the last year of his contract and may leave, and for a slow and ageing Gareth Barry. If he can stay fit he will be a big asset for them.

As for us, I'd like to see some of the cash spent on a proven Premier League player who will improve us this season rather than some youngster "for the future" as we have enough of these in my opinion. Hopefully Barkley and Junior can step into midfield to provide solid backup for Fellaini and Gibson.

COYB

David Milner
61 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:02:10
Good bit of business, wondered why Rodwell sat on the subs bench at Malaga. Remember Isco who ran the midfield for Malaga, is the same age & could be available for 8M.
Phil Sammon
62 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:06:47
That would be brilliant, Stuart.
Gary Heywood
63 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:07:00
I don't think selling Rodwell will prevent Baines going to Man U.
Stuart Mitchell
64 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:05:31
Football Agentþ@FootballAgent49

Bill Kenwright is likely to pocket approx 6m of Rodwell fee and the rest will go into a transfer budget.

Kevin Gillen
65 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:58:36
I hate all the Championship Manager comments above. Jack Rodwell was a true blue. His parents are blues. He never let the club down and was only ever unlucky with injuries. I have no doubt he will become an England regular. In time I think he will return to central defence where he was a distinguished England U-16 captain.

I do not believe for one second that Moyes will be allowed to spend any of the money gained from the deal in transfer fees. I expect to see one or two loanees at best as in previous seasons. Anyone holding their breath for a marquee signing will be blazing come the end of the transfer window. Ian Snodin and a host of other commentators or players, for example, Distin and Jagielka, have been saying how important it was for us to hold onto the players we have.

One week before we play Man United and we sell off one of the brightest prospects in the English game. What a kick in the teeth for the fans. The timing of it reminds me of the Lescott transfer although at least we have learnt that letting it get that far via a press argument isn't good for the club. Rooney, Rodwell in Manchester shirts, what a disgrace for this once proud club. Barkley next.
Stuart Mitchell
66 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:11:46
Bit of a rant there Kevin.

My info comes from reliable sources.

Money will be spent on players.

Andrew Ellams
67 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:12:57
Kevin, injuries to other players apart, would you have expected to see Jack start against Man U? Or many first team games at all next season? I didn't
Gerry Quinn
68 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:12:16
Ask that cockroach Suarez if Jack was weak in the tackle! Much that I really like Jack, this sounds like good business - much more chance of keeping Fellaini and Baines now.
Andy Crooks
69 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:11:11
Under Kenwright we sell to survive. Someone was going, whether it was Rodwell or someone else is a matter of opinion. I really see nothing to be pleased about as it seems to me to be another sign of slow decline.

I suppose Moyes is being pragmatic but, if he doesn't get a decent amount of this money, he really should consider uttering an even mildly negative comment about his friend Kenwright.

Yes, we are where we are, but why be so accepting of it?

Phil Sammon
70 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:14:36
Kevin

"What a kick in the teeth for the fans."

We are the fans, Kevin, and 99% of us are happy with the deal.

It's not 'Championship Manager' stuff, it's reality. £15 - £20 mill for a player who has been average. It's terrific for EFC.

I like Jack, he seems like a good lad. I hope he does well at City. But first and foremost I care about Everton. This is nothing but good news for the club.

Jay Harris
71 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:08:52
I for one am very sad that yet another young "top" prospect will not be wearing the Everton shirt.

It is not a bad deal given Everton's financial predicament but Everton should not be in this predicament.

Rodwell could have developed into Everton and England captain.

All those doubters who point to the last 2 years forget that he was injured most of the time and when played the team were struggling.

Just watch him go with City and then the same people will be saying we sold him too cheaply.

Andrew Ellams
72 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:18:02
United sold Cristiano Ronaldo to generate funds, Liverpool did the same with Torres and Babel to bring in the funds for Carroll and Suarez. It's the way the game is now, it's more of a business than ever before. Does that make then selling clubs too?
Ian Smitham
73 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:19:41
Stuart #061, can you explain that comment or withdraw it as nonsense, the "to pocket" I mean. Thanks.
Andy Crooks
74 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:20:00
Good post, Kevin. Phil, it may be a good deal under the circumstances. Unfortunately, the "circumstances" piss some of us off, Also, I question your assertion that 99% are happy with this, A better team than us who can afford anyone have decided to take Rodwell off us.What on earth is there to celebrate here?
Drew O'Neall
75 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:19:10
Great transfer business done all round so far Everton, I'm well pleased.

Rodwell had potential but we can't carry valuable English players with potential in our squad, if you're worth £20m but not a place in the starting eleven you're on your way.. Much better this than Baines or Fellaini and I'm not sure how much say in it the club would have if an offer of this size came in for one of them.

If half the money can be put to work on a winger and striker (is Junior Hoillett still available?) then I'll be chuffed to bits.

Does anyone know what all these fire sales have done to our debt levels?

Ste Traverse
76 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:25:52
If the money can be used to strengthen the squad then fine, it's a good deal all round.

But if it disappears like the Arteta,Yakubu and Beckford money did around this time last year, then it's fucking disgrace.

Andy Crooks
77 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:27:13
Ian, I assume that Ian means "pocket" for the banks. Not pocket to invest in some dire musical.
Steve Pugh
78 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:01:23
Yep the negativity of Moyes has ruined another attacking midfielder forcing him to leave the club so that he doesn't have to track back....Oh, no, hangon, Rodwell was a centre half that Moyes thought might be able to do a job further up the field and has since turned him into a player that some other managers view as an international level box to box midfielder. But then, professional managers and professional scouts don't have a clue compared to fans, do they??
Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
79 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:29:12
Ian (#073) — I'd be guessing but I think from the context, Stuart is quoting someone on Twatter.

Be helpful if we could use "quotation marks" when including text that ain't of our own making, please!

Matt Traynor
80 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:25:43
Ian, he's just reposting someone's twitter comment. To be fair the guy has since clarified that the £6m will go to the bank, probably after getting a few questions.
Keith Glazzard
81 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:06:45
Rodwell's best position? Probably on the bench at City.

A decent player, and a change may do him good. He's about as effective in midfield as Neville for us, and maybe 5 years down the line he could be a centre back. He's probably a front 2 player, if he ever gets the chance.

This money is unlikely to be spent on incoming players. We have sold someone way off our first team line-up. Mancini must have had a hole burning away in his pocket - more petty cash from the sheikhs.

Good luck Jack - you looked the part. No doubt Ross thinks he's next in line for pay-day. He's yet to do anything in top flight football, so let's wait and see.

Dean Adams
82 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:25:04
Jack - thank you for your hard work and potential. You were always a credit to our club and never bad mouthed us.I wish you well with your new employers and hope you have a successful career.

You will be missed by many a true blue I hope you never forget your roots and hope you remain one of us at heart.

NSNO.

Patrick Bateman
83 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:20:33
Even though Jack has not come on as well as we'd have liked, I hate the principle of selling our homegrown academy players. I agree with Kevin, it is sickening to see both Rooney and Rodwell in Manchester shirts and we all know Barkley will be next.

Another thing I can't stand is why (bar Lescott) do we always agree to the first sum offered? For a club so desperate for cash why don't we demand higher fees? Rooney was sold for a pathetic amount and I'm sure we could've got at least £5 mill more for Rodwell, look at Henderson FFS.

Nobody has damaged this club more in its entire history than our inept chairman. Kenwright is a cancer to our great club.

Steve Mink
84 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:31:25
Can't see the point of complaining about being a selling club or money disappearing to the banks. The basic facts of our financial position have been explained countless times on these very pages. You may as well complain about paying your mortgage every month.
Stuart Mitchell
85 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:35:41
Michael, I did mention it was from Twitter (twatter, are you 5 years old?)
Stuart Mitchell
86 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:37:14
and to pocket, mean to bank!
Phil Sammon
87 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:27:18
I'm celebrating getting £15 million for a fringe player.

We can debate Kenwright and EFC's finances till the cows come home. We are where we are until someone buys the club.

Our only policy can be to sell players for as high a price as possible as we have always done under Moyes. If we can keep our best players like Baines and Fellaini, and retain our very brightest young talent, Ross Barkley, then selling fairly average players like Rodwell is fine by me.

There seems to be some attempt to make this transfer indicative of Everton's decline. I think it's wide of the mark. If you can sell a non-essential player who plays in a position where we are more than comfortable, then why not? We are dying for a winger and hopefully now we can get one - and the rest of the money can keep the wolves from the door.

Tom Bowers
88 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:36:11
As I said here yesterday, at £15 million+ it would be a deal Everton couldn't refuse. We managed quite well without him last season and his fitness for a young player is dubious. Without doubt he will become a better player and do good things if he stays fit.

Let's hope Moyes spends the money wisely.
James Martin
89 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:32:54
Funny that Mancini with his unlimited budget has come in for Rodwell, Wenger went for Arteta. Barcelona who could have whoever they want for the holding role seem to be looking at Alex Song. Ferguson needs a whole new midfield so was looking at Lucas Moura and bought Phil Jones last year. Chlesea meanwhile have bought Oscar, Marin and Hazard. Why have none of these top clubs put in a bid for our 'world class' talent Fellaini? Moyes must be a master at keeping all these bids hidden from the media, or maybe they just don't exist. Perhaps (as so many people love to point out about Moyes) he is not envied by the top clubs and Everton is as big as it gets for him. Perhaps we sold the wrong midfielder. Lets hope for all our sakes we never see fellaini's hair flapping in the wind hopelessly chasing after Rodwell like we did when he 'ran' after Fabregas.
Kevin Tully
90 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:44:06
O'Keefe hinting Heitinga may be off as well ;

" There may yet be another departure before August 31 too. John Heitinga’s future is in a degree of doubt with the Dutch defender mulling over his options, although any deal for the 28-year-old will only be sanctioned if Moyes has a like-for-like replacement lined-up. "

Here's hoping we have a few replacements lined up - interesting few weeks ahead either way.

Jay Harris
91 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:42:12
There is a strong rumour that Dempsey is discussing terms with Everton.

If true there is more likelihood in Donovan coming in November.

Also heard that Johnson coming our way fell through because of wages.

Suspect there is also something in the Matt Phillips/ Seamus Coleman story too.

Drew O'Neall
92 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:27:43
..QPR
James Newcombe
93 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:46:53
Shame I always thought Rodders looked useful, ever since he came through to the first team. Still if we really have to sell somebody, I guess his departure would be one of the less disruptive to the current first XI.
Andrew Ellams
94 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:46:55
The best part of signing Dempsey would be shoving it up the RS noses.

But the rumours of incoming players seems to be well exceeding the Rodwell money now

Mark Riding
95 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:47:47
Kevin #093 - I can honestly at least one more going, and I can see it being Heitinga too.

Just out of interest, what if the fee we got for Rodwell was not as big as we are thinking ? It was 'undisclosed', so we may well be a few million out.

Michael Williams
96 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:51:02
Good move for us and for Jack Rodwell. Never really did it for me, though the daughter thinks he was very good looking.....she is a bit fed up!
Andrew Keatley
97 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:31:13
Agree with Phil Sammon (46); we have other options in the defensive midfield position. I have seen John Lundstram play a few times for several junior England sides, and he has huge potential to break through in the next 24 months - and if people are hankering for the long term prospects of homegrown players then I think Barkley, Garbutt and Lundstram have great chances. Bidwell is another. Hallam Hope too.

Rodwell might well turn into the player that he has been previously hyped to be, but what he has offered the club in the last two years has been very little indeed. I'd rather lose a player that will not upset the current momentum than one that would, so with the finances seeming as desperate as they are the loss of Rodwell would be the best solution; provided it ring fences the other current squad members.

And in respect of how much Moyes will get to spend - and with some people demanding immediate reinvestment - I doubt that there will be much to spend. It's like if you have to sell your bicycle because you are behind on the payments for your car. The priority is keeping the car. If you can afford some new hubcaps and maybe a decent sound system then all the better...

Michael Coville
98 Posted 12/08/2012 at 16:52:41
I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand I agree that it makes good business sense under the present financial situation under Kenwright. If Moyes gets the funds to reinvest, then initially we will be better off without Rodwell. On the other hand it reconfirms our dire financial situation, puts to bed any idea that a take-over is likely in the near future and labels us once again as a selling club. Who is next to balance the books, Barkley? If Rodwell becomes a regular English star then we will be the worst off long term. To think that we are now a selling club to the mighty Manchester City makes my blood boil. At 72 I just hope I live long enough to see the end of Kenwright and his cronies,
Mike
Karl Parsons
99 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:41:28
Phil (090)

Best post on here pal. Poor yourself a large one.

Peter Laing
100 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:54:23
Elstone quite clearly articulated towards the end of the season that Everton would be trading players. This policy will continue whilst the current incumbents remain in charge of Everton, I expect that Moyes will be given some but not all of the transfer fee to reinvest in the team with a forward and right sided midfielder surely at the top of his list of priorities. Also, why is it that all of our transfer business these days seem to involve undisclosed fees ?
Max Main
101 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:02:21
I just saw the news, can't be bothered to read all the posts but I assume everyone is as happy as I am!

Rodwell is shit, he has no redeeming features. I can't believe another team have actually paid us money for him! We should be paying them. Or paying the council to take him away if we leave him outside Goodison.

£15 million!

BEST DAY EVER.

Steve Smith
102 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:04:04
Quote from Mancini

"He's doing a medical at this moment. I think he's a good player, he's young and it's the first time he'll play to win things. It will be difficult for him but I am sure in a couple of years he will be a top midfielder because he's strong."

Thought he had more class than that, what a Cun*t !

Steve Jones
103 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:06:26
"Also, why is it that all of our transfer business these days seem to involve undisclosed fees ?"

Probably at Moyes request so the price of whoever we bid for now doesn't ramp up by a few milion because we are suddenly 'flush'.

Mark Riding
104 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:06:56
Steve, you havent heard what Platt said then.. smugness personified.
Phil Sammon
105 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:07:57
Haha, tell it like it is, Max.
Ciarán McGlone
106 Posted 12/08/2012 at 17:49:00
If 99% of fans are happy with this (great straw poll by the way) then I'd really have to question the intelligence of your sample...

This is a truly horrible situation... our best talent since Rooney gets fed to the banks and people think this is something to celebrate. Shameful.

I wouldn't trust Moyes with any money he gets either.

Michael Kenrick
107 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:10:47
"It's the first time he'll play to win things." – Oh my God! What are the Moyes lovers gonna make of that nasty kick in the balls!!?!?

Doesn't he know all league managers are meant to stick behind the media-generated hype and not succumb to such brutal honesty?

Max Main
108 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:09:18
Mancini is still bitter because he always loses to Everton and because he tried to start on Moyes that time and realised Moyes would give him a whooping if it was on the dark streets of Glasgow.

Mancini should be ignored. He is a fool.

David Barks
109 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:13:29
Michael,

That's a shot at Everton, not Moyes. Everton would not be winning leagues with Mourinho or Guardiola, nevermind Moyes. But go right ahead, keep living in your deluded dreams of Everton being a sleeping giant with just the right manager.

Kevin Gillen
110 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:02:42
With respect, I can't see how anyone can be happy about selling our best homegrown talent, let alone 99% of the fans. I for one am sick of telling all the neutral fans watching Man Utd and England that Rooney was produced by Everton (half of them think he has always been at Man Utd).

I have just read the FourFour Two assessment of our forthcoming season. They were predicting this will be Jack Rodwell's breakthrough season. Well, they were right. He will win a Premier League medal and a cup as a Man City player and we will all be reduced to watching them on the last day of the season and saying we produced Jack Rodwell and improved Joleon Lescott.

Whilst I appreciate some people may have more information than me about the destination of the transfer money, I have learnt through long experience of false promises on transfer monies. I really will be very surprised if even half of that money is spent on transfers. I'm certainly not holding my breath as I know how empty I have felt in eight out of nine of the last transfer windows.

I'm sick of being cannon fodder for Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea etc. I'm frnkly staggered that our fans see this as a positive development for the club.
Michael Kenrick
111 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:15:29
Oh yea, Max, I'd forgotten that... like we did last time at their gaff, eh?

What was it our wonderful manager said before that game: "knife... gunfight..." can't quite remember but it really got us up for it and we really showed them what it meant to play to win things.

Ciarán McGlone
112 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:12:48
James Martin...

I've a feeling your posts about Fellaini is a self-fulfilling prophecy..

Hope I'm wrong...

Michael Kenrick
113 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:18:25
I disagree, David. It was a comment on the way we play, and sadly it was 100% accurate. And the way we play is entirely down to the manager. Under Moyes we do not play to win things. The evidence is over 10 years in the making. We play to survive.
David Barks
114 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:18:35
Kenrick,

You really do seem to have a simple mind. Playing to win things means having to take the pitch with the pressure of knowing you are favorites to win the league. That's something Rodwell has never done, because everyone and their mother knows Everton have no chance to win the league.

Steve Mink
115 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:19:12
@ Kevin Gillen

No-one is happy about selling a potential talent like Rodwell, but every financial analysis I have seen indicates that we have to make a c. £10M profit on transfer dealings this year. Given that unfortunate fact this is the least worst option, particularly given our relative strength in centre-midfield.

Max Main
116 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:22:35
I've no interest in arguing with you, MK. I'm just happy that Rodwell has been sold, and I think Mancini is an idiot.
David Barks
117 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:23:40
Michael,

Seriously, don't try that BS spin here. Even some of the most anti-Moyes people won't buy that crap. Or are you saying Moyes has never, not once, went out to win a match? It's quite clear what Mancini was saying to anyone not wanting to spin it to meet their agenda. You're doing this site a disservice otherwise. You really should be ashamed about that one, a new low for you.

Jamie Barlow
118 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:23:38
Mark, what did Platt say?
Neil Adams
119 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:21:37
Everton are at a crossroads. Unfortunately, two of the paths are blocked, one requires paying a toll far in excess of our available funds and the other one leads backwards.

So we stay where we are, until someone comes along with a steamroller we can borrow or a fat sack of cash to pay the tollkeeper.

Steven Kendrew
120 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:18:28
I like Rodwell and he is a true Blue and has come through the ranks, etc. However, he has been very injury prone in the last two years and when he has played he has never really shone very often and unfortunately I have never beeen 100% convinced about him. Having said that, I would have liked to see how he developed at Everton over the next couple of years. I guess we will see. I think 15-20m is a pretty good deal for both parties, although he should be a bit worried he will hardly get a game at Citeh.

I doubt he would have been found in many Fantasy League teams in the last 2 or 3 years.......!

Sam Hoare
121 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:02:38
Strange move for Jack. I would be surprised to see him start that many games for City this season. I hope he does and that he improves but I don't see him ever becoming a world class player in which case £15m rising to £20m is pretty hood business.

The question is who to bring in? Agree with those who say Hoilett and Diame would have been nice. Dempsey is good but apparently valued at £10m which I think is double what it should be. Isco from Malaga is a very good shout.

Michael Kenrick
122 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:23:20
That's nice, David, start in with the abuse when you're running a little thin.

Even when we have a chance of winning (like being gifted a goal in an FA Cup semi-final, or before that, scoring the fastest ever goal in an FA Cup Final), the ultra-cautious, fanatically defensive, risk-averse dour negativity of our wonderful manager puts paid to that because he has not instilled a wining mentality into the players.

We do not play to win things.

Ciarán McGlone
123 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:19:02
I assume Max Main is part of this fictional 99%... fucking clueless.
Mark Riding
124 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:29:02
Jamie, "been watching him for over 2 years, now giving him the platform to develop etc."
Thinking about it, it may not be smugness.. it may be the truth hurting a little.
Ged Simpson
125 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:22:01
Would a reasonable view be that it is a shame he has not fulfilled his potential yet and we cannot afford to wait longer?

Many on here say we have a good team and need a couple of players to make it an exciting one. They will moan like hell if we "don't take the opportunity" this season presents. Well if Moyes strengthens the squad by getting in players who can perform in the upcoming season, surely that is what we want?

But the big "if" is whether he will or can...

Ben Jones
126 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:28:33
Even though I disagree with Michael Kenrick's views on Moyes, he has a point. Rodwell is going to be very good at City, because they play a very fluid system, and we play a very rigid system. Rigid doesn't suit Rodwell, because he can play anywhere in the midfield.

That said, even if we play a more fluid system, it doesn't mean we will succeed more.

I think it's a great deal for us. We have enough centre midfielders to cope without him, because with Gibson and Fellaini, he wasn't even first choice! We got great money, as much as £20 million I heard, and hopefully we can spend it on key areas.

It's only gonna be a good deal if we actually sign some players. I have a feeling Moyes is gonna go for Philips from Blackpool and Rhodes from Huddersfield. Just a hunch.

Hopefully maybe we can get Adam Johnson as well.

Phil Sammon
127 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:25:16
Kevin

1. Your Man Utd mates are pathetic armchair fans who aren't worth you wasting your breath.

2. FourFour Two is not the fountain of knowledge.

3. Everton are not 'fodder'. Players will come and players will go. We will steal and be stolen from. It's the nature of the game.

4. Welcome to reality

Jamie Barlow
128 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:32:28
It's only a great bit of business if we can buy a couple of players to make our team better.

Anyone who can play on the right side would be a nice start.

David Barks
129 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:30:53
Michael,

You decided to start with saying it's a kick in the balls to "all the Moyes lovers". We scored the fastest goal in a FA Cup Final, did we have a different manager for all the games that got us to that final? And I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that Chelsea had a squad better than anything we could have dreamed of, and the better team simply dominated. That's just a crazy thought though isn't it, that the better team won when they were needing to play at their best, and with us missing a couple of our best players through injury.

Gifted a goal in the FA Cup semi-final, did we have a different manager in all the matches leading up to it as well? Was it Moyes or Distin who gifted them a goal in that match? Funny that Mancini was a very defensive, cautious manager until this past season, when he was able to bring in the massive amount of fire power he wanted. When he didn't have all those great attacking options, he knew defense was his strength against better sides and played that way, the Italian way, who somehow have won a fair amount of "things".

Andy Callen
130 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:30:08
Unfortunately Michael we play to survive as a result of Kenwright and the way in which he has run our great club – we are lucky to have a talented manager like Moyes, who has proven capable of making the best of a truly scandalous situation.

With regards the Rodwell transfer – as many have said, I would love to have seen him fulfil his potential with us. I have no doubt he will go on to be a top class central midfielder and we will all look back and think what if? But £15 - 20 million is good money for a player who would not get into our first XI. It is a sign of the times and a result of the total mismanagement of Everton Football Club that we are having to cash in on such players, rather then seeing them through to the finished product. NSNO.

Max Main
131 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:37:07
Why the fuck am I being called clueless? I'm not allowed to have an opinion?

I've watched virtually every Everton game over the last few seasons and I have been thoroughly disappointed with Jack Rodwell. He is rubbish. This is my opinion.

I also think Mancini is an idiot. Another opinion.

Need to calm yourself down, McGlone.

John Keating
132 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:40:51
I will only accept its a good deal for Everton when I hear Moyes being given at least 10 million to strengthen the team. Think therefore that I,ll never accept it was a good deal !
Ciarán McGlone
133 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:42:48
You think Rodwell is 'shit'... therefore I think you're clueless.

You can watch all you want, you clearly don't.

Shane Corcoran
134 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:45:10
Max, if I may express my opinion, I think the bit that bothers people is that you say Rodwell has no redeeming features. Do you really think that? None at all.

Also, Michael and Lyndon, do yourselves a favour and change the headline. Nobody has sold anyone to anyone.

Good business IMO.

Michael Kenrick
135 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:43:13
David,

I'll just restate my understanding that what Mancini said was unfortunately 100% accurate and it struck a nerve with me because that is above all else Moyes's biggest flaw in my eyes. He does not set up, encourage or inspire the team to win things.

Football is ultimately about winning; yes, you need to keep a lid on how many the opposition score; Moyes has put almost his entire focus on this... to the obvious detriment of winning. It pervades so much of what we see on the field, and for me it is both inescapable and irrefutable. But his apologists will continue to make all the excuses under the sun.

Pat Finegan
136 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:28:54
I'm not happy that we sold Rodw.... wait – did that say £15M? £15 million? I wish him all the best but how could we have said No to £15 million for Rodwell?

I think Moyes has learned his lesson to get things done early. If players are going to go, let them go now, not 3 weeks from now. After Lescott, Arteta, etc affecting the way we played the last couple seasons, my disappointment with Rodwell's departure is reconciled by the knowledge that the transfer was done right and done for a more than reasonable fee.

Who to bring in? Anything, really. With Naismith on the right and Pienaar on the left, the squad looks solid but small. Looking forward to seeing who we purchase in the next few weeks.

Max Main
137 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:49:46
Okay, very few redeeming features. He does a good job modelling the new kits.

In all seriousness I do think he's awful. I'm sure there are redeeming features but I don't know what they are. He is quite atheletic, and he seems to have two good feet, but the problem is they're not actually good, they're just equally poor.

I'm not trying to be a dick, I just genuinely don't rate the guy.

Can someone who is a fan of Rodwell please outline what you think his qualities are?

"Potential" does NOT count as a quality btw.

Ben Jones
138 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:52:02
Michael,

100% accurate? Moyes plays matches for 0-0 draws in every match does he?

I agree his football isn't free flowing but Moyes always tries to win. Every manager always try to win.

Andy Amey
139 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:45:55
At 46 years of age I have seen enough of promise...............Gary Jones, David Smallman, Steve Mcmahon ..........all players who were going to be the best thing that had happened to EFC and all ,for one reason or another, didn't deliver for us.

I think we need a bit of a wake up call ................it is NOW that matters

If the money from Jack's sale is invested in 1 or hopefully 2 players then who knows we may upset the odds, and the London press once again.

Otherwise we will have to sing about our glorious history for a bit longer.

Alan Clarke
140 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:24:04
I can't believe what I'm reading: 'Good business', 'We don't need him'. You've all been caught in the Kenwright spin machine. It is not good business because we won't see any of that money invested back in the team. Well will any of you learn?

We do need Rodwell. Did any of you see Gibson just got injured? Who's going to be playing against Man U now in that position? Fucking Phil Neville.

This is a further sign of the complete fucking financial mess out club is in yet most of you are applauding it. I am fucking fuming.

Mark Riding
141 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:56:02
Alan, Rodwell wouldn't have got into the midfield ahead of Neville anyway.. .more chance of getting a game with only Tore, Nasri, Silva etc ahead of him in the pecking order.
David Barks
142 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:53:27
Right Michael, football is obviously about winning things. It's just funny how for the past 20 years or so the clubs with all the money have been the same, and coincidentally these have been the clubs who win everything. Is it because they have a manager who instills attacking football, and that in turn these teams just want it more? Or might it be that "coincidence" that they have by far the most money meaning they buy all the best players? Real and Barcelona, do they just want it more than anyone else? Or do they have all the best players? City, did they just never want to win before they were bought by billionaires? Or do you think the money that allowed them to buy a completely new team is maybe the reason they "win things". Arsenal used to win things, but then they stopped spending money like United, Chelsea and later City. And my goodness, they have stopped winning things. Same manager by the way who won the league with them, same guy. But they just can't win anything anymore? Is Wenger suddenly useless, or is it maybe, just maybe, the money?
James Stewart
143 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:56:43
Alan there is no one who loathes bullshit bill more than me but your are missing the boat on this one I think.

Rodwell is very very average. Injury prone to boot. Also does anyone even know what position he plays!? To get £15-19m depending on which site you read for a player of his standard is a bloody gift horse.

Now yes I do agree with you though we need a replacement as our squad is light but surely some of that money will be reinvested?! If not there has to be an outcry even he get slip out of.

Guy Hastings
144 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:50:37
"It's the first time he'll play to win things."

Moyes 5 Mancini 1, I believe. I'm sure MK will correct me if I'm wrong.

Kevin Hudson
145 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:54:17
Michael Kenrick,

I doubt Mancini would be so assertive if he took charge of Man.City's squad circa the Shaun Goater / Nicky Summerbee era.

..and operated under those conditions.

Amazing what a seemingly un-limited transfer budget can do..

Mark Scarratt
146 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:01:00
Should have been first name on team sheet for years to come. Had/ has all the potential, but for some reason seemed to get worse with each passing year.

Agree that he seems to lack hunger and self belief. Could that be as a result of his relative "middle class" upbringing. Also can't help feeling that we have not got the best out of him due to negative team selection and pattern of play.

He also followed the pattern of others who broke into first team and got progressively worse i.e Coleman, Vaughan, Anichebe to name a few Hope Barkley doesn't go the same way.

Anyway I have a feeling we will regret this and I think he will flourish at City. I hate to see us selling home grown players

Sam Hoare
147 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:56:32
Michael K. Why do you fail to acknowledge that playing tight isn't the same as not wanting to win?!

Did you watch Chelsea win the champions league last season? Or inter Milan a few years before? Well just ignore those examples of a defensive mindset proving ultimately successful and try and play like Barcelona shall we?

Noel Early
149 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:01:12
This month is now pivotal in the tenure of David Moyes, another player sold in order to keep the banks happy, don't buy into the theory he wasn't good enough – the lad oozes quality.

Did anyone stop to think maybe Moyes hadn't a clue what to do with his talents á la Rooney and it looks as if Barkley might fit into this category. Unless we buy some quality replacements like Holtby then I for one will be cancelling my trips over from Ireland. Sick to the teeth of this nonsense.

And for the matter every club now thinks we have this wad of cash for transfers could we not have someone lined up before we sold Rodwell. Just glad it wasnt Baines or Fellaini but hey there is always the January sales.

Michael Kenrick
150 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:12:11
The sad thing is that, a few years back, Moyes was fully prepared to take on the inequity and break the mould. He came close but he ultimately failed and subsequently gave up trying. That's when I stopped buying the hype. I believe if he had had the balance right (between defence and attack, negative and positive, etc), then he could have succeeded. But he gave up trying. That, for an Everton manager, is unforgiveable in my eyes.

His failure to properly cultivate Rodwell, one of our best ever prospects, will also count against him in my book... but you can't complain about the price we got for him. I thought that chance had gone. So his future development under new management will definitely be interesting to watch...


Kevin (#159): Three words: "here and now".

Tony Dove
151 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:08:09
Moyes had no idea how to get the best out of Rodwell. I hope he does really well at City — and, if he does, we will all wonder what might [should] have been...
Keith Glazzard
152 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:17:44
Mancini - Rodwell just got a trebling of his pay. He's already won
Mark Riding
153 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:26:46
Keith, the wages mentioned may make a few of our other 'prospects' think about what is out there! Who wouldn't want to treble their pay?
Brent Stephens
154 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:08:29
Scenario I'm guessing at...

BK: "Davey, you need to sell to get some cash in. Seems to be interest in Felli."
Davey: "I have my principles, nobody's going."
BK: "Davey, you need to sell to get some cash in. Seems to be interest in Bainsey."
Davey: "I have my principles, nobody's going."
BK: "Davey, you need to sell to get some cash in. Man City offering £15M plus for Rodders."
Davey: "I have my principles but if you don't like them I have others [acknowledgement to Groucho Marx] – sell him."

Aiden Doyle
155 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:29:35
To be fair to Moyes, whilst his win percentage isn’t as good as any of the managers of the probable top four, it seems to be better than just about everybody else. That includes the likes of attacking ‘Arry Redknapp, Mark Hughes, Alan Pardew and the League’s new darling, Brendan Rodgers. Martin O’Neill only scores more highly due to winning three-quarters of his games during his time at Celtic.

It always fascinates me how a man who never plays to win ends up with so many accidental victories.

Paul Andrews
156 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:30:07
Two reasons why it is an "undisclosed fee".

Either we took short money for Jack. Or the board do not want the fans to know how much we got so when we spend a pittance on players the fans can't be upset as we have not spent the full amount of transfer fee.

By the way, Jack is going to be a top player, keep an eye on him when he plays for a coach who allows him to play, instead of a coach smothering him with negative instructions.

Phil Sammon
157 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:28:43
"the lad oozes quality"

Yeah those 5-yard sideways passes are phenomenal.

I recall SAF commenting on Zidane saying that for all his quality, he doesn't hurt teams enough. Though early in his career, you can label Rodwell the same. He flatters to deceive. He does nothing with tremendous grace.

John Shaw
158 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:31:23
I think Rodwell will turn out to be a top midfielder.

What I don't think helps with the development of young players trying to establish a name for themselves is getting played out of position most weeks, because that has happened to Jack. I've seen him played centre half, centre mid, right back, left back, right midfield, left midfield and off the front man... fuck me, is it any wonder he's stagnated??? He's never been allowed to learn one position to the full, and the blame for that lies at the door of the manager!!
Kevin Hudson
159 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:34:02
'Here and now."

What's that supposed to mean?

(Genuinely, no clue).

Phil Sammon
160 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:37:18
Only Zidane was brilliant...
Phil Bellis
161 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:24:07
I feel that proper football fans, and especially those of clubs like Everton, West Ham etc, still in essence and ethos, "local" teams, are Luddites when it comes to "get real", "live with it", "it's a business" et al.

For us Luddites, arl-arses and those who have the seen great Everton teams and thus had the football equivalent of shagging Kate Bush (ask yer dad), supporting Everton is emotional, unrealistic, nonsensical and often downright certifiable.

I am saddened by the fact that we have to sell our own who have been with us since childhood and that we can't afford to take a chance of another year or two of nurturing.

I am more saddened, though, that we have been lead to this point and are forced by current circumstances to sell to survive and, while not being totally naive re the vagaries of finance, stand by my unrealistic expectations of what this great club should and could be achieving – did I not say certifiable?

And young Rodders... good luck – and I presume you're not allowed to tell us whether you jumped or were pushed?

Paul Andrews
162 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:41:37
It probably helped he never played in 6 positions in one season...
Tom Dodds
163 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:30:16
Above post re: turning the youngsters heads to richer clubs.... Spot on. I've heard and believe that this poison has already infected a fair few of them..


All in all, what we have left now is Moyes to grow some, set the team to ATTACK, and make quite sure that in this coming campaign this team goes out and plays its fucking arse off, and above all, fears no-one... Finally.
Jamie Barlow
164 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:41:41
Paul @170, how about so another club can't ask for over the odds for the player we want, knowing full well we've just robbed City blind for £15/20 million?

That makes more sense to me.

Another thing, I don't think the whole lot of what we got for Rodwell should go to Moyes. How will we ever pay the debt off if we just keep spending like for like???

Richard Dodd
165 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:36:14
Davey will get just as much as the banks allow him to. Kenwright will have no say in the matter.

Don't confuse our situation with that of Man Utd, where the debt is as a result of a levereged purchase rather than unrealistic operating costs — mainly paying the players too much!
Paul Andrews
166 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:46:31
Jamie,i have heard that one off a couple of people today,as I told them them the point you make is nonsense.

Selling manager " I have a good idea mr chairman,Everton don't have much money lets knock a couple of million off our asking price"

Afraid not

Jamie Barlow
167 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:49:57
By the same rule Paul, you don't think City pay over the odds for players because they've got quite a lot of money?
Peter Thistle
168 Posted 12/08/2012 at 18:57:10
Strange to wake up to this news, didn't see it coming.

We have lost Cahill, Rodwell, Straq, Drenthe and not really strengthened enough for my liking. The squad is shrinking beyond an acceptable level and with some injuries we might be screwed.

Time for Kenwright to do the right thing and put a decent wedge of the Rodwell fee into Moyes's hand so he can try and build up a decent squad.

Kevin Gillen
169 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:36:08
I fail to see how selling Rodwell improves our squad. It doesn't. It demonstrates the reality that Everton are no longer a top club or have top aspirations.

I will always be an Evertonian but if you are not rewarded for bringing on top class young people like Jack Rodwell then football is in a sorry state. All the Fantasy Football comments above. We will sign this person and that person (rubbish). Rodwell is rubbish – pathetic. That lad has enormous talent and potential.

Unlike Rooney he wasn't looking to move (not that I blame Rooney for our club failing to match his ambition). No doubt he'll still be booed when he comes to Goodison.

We have a stadium like a sixties theme park, a threadbare squad and aspirations for sixth. The board need to wake up and stop undermining the team with their torpor. A brand new record TV deal and revenue and we still have to sell top class reliable performers.
Alex Kociuba
170 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:48:29
Chris James (038) and Chris James (013) has the situation summed up perfectly I think. A good deal all round. I definitely think City are ticking boxes, and rather than signing anyone they simply have the money to buy young and promising. He is a supporting role in our team - when fit, and still hasn't proven himself at the top level.

Mark Riding
171 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:51:29
He would have been on the bench for most of the season. Potential, yes, injury prone, very. £15m, thanks. Oh, and any of our other subs you want to pay that for, go nuts, cos were skint.

There was a thread on here last week saying we should try him at right back, maybe Mancini read it ?

Phil Bellis
172 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:48:34
Why Jamie... the Board just sells some more assets... oh, hang on, I mean take out mortgages against future guaranteed and possible income... oh hang on, I mean outsource something... oh hang, I mean ask the banks for more credit... oh, fuck it!

By the way, MK, I too thought back then that Moysey mosied into Dodge City with a clear intention of dishing out some bloody noses and getting stuck in. He does seem to have been ground down by the effort over the years...

Jamie Barlow
173 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:53:34
Kevin, who said we had to sell?

Who says we won't go out and buy a couple of decent (not potentially decent) players?

I very much doubt he'll get booed when he comes back.

Why can't we just wait and see what happens with the money before we start crying about everything and anything we know nothing about?

Alex Kociuba
174 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:55:36
Here and now is the opposite of there and then.
Simon Flynn
175 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:59:25
On the whole, this feels like a good piece of business to me. But I think we'll only know for sure once the transfer window closes and we can see the net result. Here's hoping.
James Stewart
176 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:54:17
Very surprised at all the negative voices to this deal. For all those claiming Rodwell had massive potential can you please tell me what are his best attributes? Moyes just took over £15m for a bit part player at best. Now I expect him to be able to reinvest £10m of that. Rodwell triples his wage to £100k per week which is completely insane. The lad had one good game about 2 years ago and has looked liked the next Calton Palmer ever since.

If this deal means we keep our actual good players like Baines and Heitinga, I will be over the moon.
Jamie Barlow
177 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:58:26
I haven't got a clue what you're talking about Phil.
Mohammed Horoub
178 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:45:34
I agree with the following points made so far:
1) The banks forced this sale
2) Man City's system will suit Rodwell better than Everton's curent system
3) Based on current form (and hence value) I thought Baines/ Fellaini would be the sacrifice made to the banks
4) Unless Everton's medical staff know something we don't Jack was sold at the wrong time.
5) We need to wait till Sept 1st to judge the re-investment but I doubt we'll be seeing £9 million. (£3-5M is more likely)
6) I wish him the best of luck. He didn't push for this move and if things don't work out then I would hope he would consider coming back (on a free of course!)
7) Mancini - What goes around comes around please see Malaga FC.
Kevin Gillen
179 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:00:31
I'm sorry to hear how good Lundstram is by the way, he will next after Barkley.
Kevin Gillen
180 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:08:02
We've sold Rodwell today but Phil Neville thinks a 1-0 loss to Malaga is perfect preparation for the forthcoming season and Hibbo is popular in Brazil. How can it be worse? I want us to fight for the Premier League title and have a good few seasons in the Champions League. Is it too much to ask not to sell our brightest talent?
Kevin Freaney
181 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:11:15
A reported £15m. If our board has acted in the same way they treated the Yobo deal I imagine it's more like this:

Man City asked how much we wanted for Rodwell. We said £15m, City said no, but we'll offer £10m, to which we probably said okay, how about £7m. Then City came back with £5m and we said no, how about £1m....

Well at least Barclays will be happy.

Andy Crooks
182 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:10:46
Jack Rodwell is not a "very average player" — he is a very talented young player who has been unlucky with injuries. He has been highly regarded by Capello, Hodgson and now Mancini. All three more successful than David Moyes.

Perhaps this sale is essential but the fact that some should be happy or believe that this is a great day is a signal of what has become acceptable to some Evertonians. A good young player has been taken off us by a better team and some celebrate; I am incredulous.

Kenwright drags us slowly down and Moyes covers his back all the way, a sad day...

Phil Sammon
183 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:16:24
Kevin Gillen

I doubt Rodwell would have propelled us into the Champions League

Phil Bellis
184 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:09:27
Sorry Jamie, my fault; you're not the first to say that and definitely won't be the last.

Answering your question (#178), from the our current Board's past perspective and, of course, with the sarcasm font swtiched on:

"Another thing, I don't think the whole lot of what we got for Rodwell should go to Moyes. How will we ever pay the debt off if we just keep spending like for like?"

Chris Leyland
186 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:06:12
There is some right shite being spouted tonight on here.

"Jack is a top player, oozes quality, Moyes has held him back" etc etc.

Yes, just like he has held Baines back and stopped him from becoming a top top full back. Like he has held back Jelavic who has stagnated since Moyes bought him. Like Moyes has made Felli go backwards rapidly. Like Moyes has ensured that Heitinga hasn't turned it to a quality ball playing centre half. Oh hang on, I forgot it is only certain players he chooses to stifle isn't it? Nothing to do with Rodwell actually maybe not quite being good enough to develop into a quality player is it?

Jamie Barlow
188 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:19:38
Sorry Phil, I don't understand what you're saying.

Can someone explain.

Paul Andrews
189 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:20:48
Phil Sammon, What do you think would propel us into the Champions League?
Phil Sammon
190 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:28:44
An investor.

Sadly that is not forthcoming at the moment. So what can we do in the meantime? The same as any other club. Sell players we don't need for as much as possible. Then buy players we do need for as cheap as possible.

Andy Crooks
191 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:28:29
Chris,

Jelavic, Baines, Fellaini and Heitinga were quality players when they got here. Moyes shoe-horned Heitinga, as he did with Jagielka, into midffield. Not all he does is pure gold, you know. Denigrating Rodwell to defend this "brilliant piece of business" by Moyes and Kenwright is pure propaganda.
Barry Stevens
192 Posted 12/08/2012 at 19:53:01
Great deal in my opinion. Very overrated player. Yes, he's very graceful in his movement but he can not tackle, head and loves a sideways pass. £15 million plus add-ons when I don't even think he's worth half that. Maybe – and I mean maybe – City's style of play will suit him and my judgement will be proved wrong.
Kevin Gillen
193 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:26:52
Phil Sammon,

With respect, how can you be pleased about this deal?

I cannot see how selling Rodwell improves our prospects for the forthcoming season. We have a much greater chance of making Champions League if we have an adequate squad. The squad was already looking threadbare before today's "Good Business".

What business rejoices in selling its best homegrown talent? Whatever the fee was I have very little faith it will be reinvested in the team. I'm sure you'll agree we haven't set the world alight in the the transfer market the past few windows and only the Lescott money was part given over to Moyes.

There is a school of thought that says we are selling to survive. How is this survival? We are drowning in a sea of mediocrity and the massive fanbase that we once boasted is dwindling away and their sons and daughters becoming Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United fans for the most obvious reasons.

We need change, this board is failing the fans and the team.
Martin Mason
194 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:34:38
A very sad day for EFC but again, as if it were needed, just confirmation of how we have fallen. Sad but good business for both clubs, the money is much needed by Everton and City get a great player.
Paul Andrews
195 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:38:01
Andy, spot on.

Comments re "a good bit of business" make no sense whatsoever.

Are we football fans or financial experts?
Peter Warren
196 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:26:51
Time will tell. Unless Moyes didn't rate him(which I don't believe) then really sad that our finances are so bad we have to sell. We sell a £10m plus player every season and off load squad players every season and have no mobey to invest. If it was purely Moyes's football decision cos he can reinvest funds, then fair enough, managers prerogative but I don't think that s the case.

For the record, I think Jack is class and in a couple of years will be a dominant box-to-box scoring midfielder.

Ben Jones
197 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:38:12
Come off it Andy,

Baines was good but not anywhere as good as he was now. Fellaini has improved immensely, Heitinga was crap at Atletico before Moyes signed him up. Credit where it's due for god's sake. And how many games has Jags played in centre mid? Maybe like 5 at the most?

This is almost as poor as your shout about Duffy being better than Jags and Distin? And the mighty Niall McGinn, the world beater, who plays for the mighty Aberdeen!!!

Phil Bellis
198 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:30:00
Jamie,

Some would agree with you that the way to progress or, at least, ensure the club's survival, would be to reduce the debt to manageable proportions – give all incoming proceeds from sales to the the bank(s).

Others, like me, dreamers and unrealists, feel that investing in the team/squad and engendering better results on the pitch is the way forward.

This current Board have one aim only – keep Everton in the Premier League as a means of safeguarding/increasing their investment.

To do this, they have sold everything but Goodison Park and the remaining players, sold and rented back Finch Farm, outsourced all but the bullshit PR spin factory, mortgaged/remortgaged/re-remortgaged against future Sky money, season ticket sales, etc.

So, in essence, they have mainly preferred the above stratagems rather than spending "like for like" throughout Bill's tenure and we are deep in the mire.
Perhaps, to be fair, occasionally they used them to obtain money in an attempt to improve the squad.

Andy Corrie
199 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:40:57
Paul – like it or not, football IS business and if a player isn't contributing, fitting in, or is consistently injured, why keep him??

Regardless of whether or not we are forced to sell to keep the wolves from the door, I'm really not sorry to see him go.

Stop all the doom and gloom and let's get excited about next season; should be a cracker with Naismith and Jeli up front!
Bjørn-Ivar Pedersen
200 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:43:50
Oh well, yet another one to hell... looks like we are going to settle for midtable this season.
Phil Sammon
201 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:38:32
Kevin

"with respect, how can you be pleased about this deal? I cannot see how selling Rodwell improves our prospects for the forthcoming season."

It provides us with the money to strengthen where we really need it. Sell players you don't need, buy players you do.

I would love nothing more than to see Everton top of the league and buying the very finest players. So what do we do? Make the best of what we've got? Or bankrupt ourself by living beyond our means. There is only one option for our club - sell for top dollar, buy as much quality as we can afford.

Just to reiterate - we've just sold a fringe player for £15 million!

Kevin Hudson
202 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:43:48
Alex "Dictionary Corner," Kociuba (188)

Clearly my question was an invitation for Kenrick to embroider his 'three words,' but your irrelevant response is appreciated.

Leung Chi Ho
203 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:38:13
Haha, 15m+ for a bench player
Keep Baines and Felli to the squad at least 1 more season,
Peanuts is back,
A steal from Rangers for Naismith (and Jelavic),
Moyes has money to spend....
What a summer for Everton!!

Lets use some money to bring Donovan back , and 1 forward and attack-mind right back, coyb...

I can see tiny tim will back in January and Rodwell will loan back to us after winning some tropies in the beach for few seasons...

Kevin Gillen
204 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:48:52
A fringe player who England are going to build a new team around. A top class lad who didn't want anything other than to play for Everton. Moyes does talk sense when he says the most important players you have at your club are the ones who are there not some fantasy football future transfer.

I've seen it all before with Kenwright, a few loanees at best probably crackpots like Drenthe or Jo or centre forwards whose best attribute is a block tackle. You've convinced me mind this is a great deal for a talent like Rodwell, he won't have to suffer the crap of pretending to be a top class outfit with aspirations any more.

Nil satis Nisi Mediocris.
Tony McNulty
205 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:45:00
The real sad day for me was around a month ago.

Kevin Ratcliffe was the guest at this year’s Everton Supporters in London AGM.

He said that Jack Rodwell would have to leave Everton, adding that the only way he would fulfil his potential would be to play with better quality players.

The sad bit for me? That he wouldn’t be able to do that at Everton.

Chris Leyland
206 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:51:32
Andy: "Baines, Fellaini and Heitinga were quality players when they got here."

They were all only potentially quality players weren't they? Otherwise we wouldn't have been able to sign them, would we, as bigger clubs would have been in for them too.

And that's also the point with Rodwell: he is still only a "potentially quality player" after nearly 100 top flight games. Of these games you can count on one hand the number of influential games he has had. If he was so good, his quality would have shone through on many more occasions. It simply hasn't done so. All the hype when he played for England was exactly that – "hype". He did nothing of note in either of his England games either.

What I'm saying is that it is complete bollocks to somehow try and blame Moyes that Rodwell has only ever had a handful of good games for us. The only person to blame for that is Jack himself or he simply isn't quite good enough.

Ciarán McGlone
207 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:58:51
Is Phil Sammon the new incarnation of agent Elstone?

There's something fishy about his incessant brand of 'selling our best youngsters is great for this club' bullshit...

John Crawley
208 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:06:33
14 games, two goals in 2 years.

It's not the selling him for £15 million that's the problem, it's whether the manager will get all of the money to reinvest in the squad. I think we know that won't happen and that's the REAL problem.
Colin Ryan
209 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:14:01
Phil McNulty ‏@philmcnulty on Twitter:
"Man City's Rodwell signing complete. Everton will get a guaranteed £12m down and add ons could come to another £5m."
Phil Sammon
210 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:09:07
Since when are England building a team around Rodwell?

I couldn't care less what Mancini, Hodgson or any other manager thinks of Rodwell to be honest. I have seen the lad play more games than any of them and I know how good he is.

John Crawley
211 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:16:24
To my mind the idea of add-ons is a bad idea in this deal as I'm just not convinced that he's going to make it as a top class player. Greg O'Keefe was saying £15M; if it's £12M... not such a good deal.

The reality of this deal is that we had to do this to keep the bank happy so we are selling from a position of weakness.
John Shaw
212 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:20:34
It's £12 million guaranteed with another £5 million in add-ons, still a good deal for EFC??
Chris Fisher
213 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:22:20
So what? He's shit.
Jamie Barlow
214 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:05:23
Thanks Phil.

I suppose I'm of the mindset that the quicker we lower the debt, the quicker we find a buyer and the quicker we get rid of the clowns we have now.

I'd much rather do it your way though.

John Crawley
215 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:23:47
John, I'd say if we'd got a straight £17 million its a good deal... but add-on's? No thanks.
Andy Crooks
216 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:21:01
Why must Jack Rodwell be slated: "injury prone", "overrated", "can't tackle", "can't head", "very, very average" etc etc?

He's gone, he didn't ask to go, we likely had to sell him. So why the nasty justification of this "great piece of business"?
John Crawley
217 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:30:53
Andy,

I think there are two sides to this a footballing one and the complete failure of the board. From a football point of view, I haven't got a real problem selling Rodwell; his injury record is poor and I can only remember him having one game where he dominated the midfield. We also have an very unbalanced squad with far too many central midfielders. So from a football point of view I don't have a problem.

However, from the way the club is being run, I do have a big problem with the deal. We are so badly run that we have to sell off players each season to keep the bank happy. The commercial, marketing and catering aspects of the club are a joke. The board have completely failed to address the stadium issue and appear to have absolutely no idea how to. The money from this deal won't all be given to the manager and we must have the smallest squad in the Premier League.
Brendan McLaughlin
218 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:32:08
Andy #239

So we can "slate" the manager but not the players. Only teasing but it's just individual opinions at the end of the day? You think Duffy is going to be a player (I actually agree) but on Jack, much as it pains me, I don't think he'll make it at the very top level.
Andy Crooks
219 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:45:35
Good post, John. Whatever one thinks of Rodwell this deal is a symptom of what is wrong at the club and to me is no cause for celebration.
Peter Henry
220 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:52:41
I simply can not understand the sense of selling a young England International for £12 million, when Henderson, Downing cost a lot more!!! Yes we are in dire straits... but even we should be able to get more than £12M from the richest club in the world.

I was ecstatic before when I heard £15-18M... but not now. Yes we will get add-ons but that's if he even gets a career there... look at Adam Johnson who hasn't...

Kenwright and the rest, out NOW!

Al Reddish
221 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:54:58
Confirmed by Man City now. Medical passed and Rodwell signed for 5 years. Good luck lad.............now give Moyes the money Bill or I feel this could be your most uncomfortable season yet.
John Crawley
222 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:58:15
Andy, I agree... and yet people still clap Kenwright!!
Andrew Ellams
223 Posted 12/08/2012 at 22:08:04
Kevin, most of it has been a total bloody nightmare
Dan Brierley
224 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:40:03
"Our debt's too high, we are on the brink of administration."

"I hope Moyes gets all of the money from the transfer to spend on new players."

What is wrong with reducing debt? I sincerely HOPE some of that money clears the debt hanging around our necks, reducing our interest payments and putting us back on the right financial direction.

Fellaini and Gibson are the starting central pairing, Rodwell was only going to be cover this season. We now have Pip, Naismith, Heitinga who can all cover in the event of an injury. I don't like to see a home grown talent leave, but having £15 million sat on the bench is not a luxury that we can afford.

City have taken a gamble, without a doubt. Rodwell does have potential, but in my eyes has not lived up to it by any means yet. That's not to say he won't, but there are no guarantees that he will either.

I think if we can bring in a decent right-sided player, and Jelavic maintains his form, we have a Europe-challenging side. Naismith adds a new dynamic to the team, and will score goals and create this season whereas unfortunately Cahill was not doing so last season.

I do not see how we are worse off without Rodwell in the short term at all. I think Moyes has made the right call, and took the money on a player who literally only showed potential. I can count on one hand how many good games he had for us. To me, it is another sensible piece of business by the club.

Albert Perkins
225 Posted 12/08/2012 at 21:27:27
Sometimes it's all about the right club for the right player. Arteta and Pienaar were playing poorly at their previous clubs while at Everton they turned out to be an attractive and purposeful pairing. I hope Jack does well at City. He will still be one of ours to me.

I am satisfied that Jela and Naismith are here and am looking forward to the new season.

I am trying to make the best of the present situation, although I still have a competitive spirit. Getting older and can't run up the wing like I used to, but still enjoy giving air to the ball.

Glass half-full. I drank my fill of championships and cups from 1960.
Come on you Blues!

Robert Lam
226 Posted 12/08/2012 at 22:15:11
Mancini is repaying us for helping him to win the league last season with the draw at Old Trafford. He will return Rodwell in a few years time.
John Crawley
227 Posted 12/08/2012 at 22:16:51
Peter don't kid yourself with this bollocks about the chairman didn't want him to go. He didn't want Arteta to go either! The reality is that the bank is in charge and we have to sell.

Dan there's nothing wrong with reducing debt. The problem is this, selling players is the only strategy (sic) that the board have for doing this! The other aspect is how they managed to get us into this situation in the first place. But hey let's just ignore those aspects.

Leung Chi Ho
228 Posted 12/08/2012 at 22:25:39
£12m + £5m add-on??!

I think the price is cheap when you look at the transfer market nowaday and what the RedShite paid for a British player, and we are dealing with Man City!!!!

What it means is other clubs will only rate Rodwell a £10m player... sad.

Barry Stevens
229 Posted 12/08/2012 at 22:40:44
Andy Crooks – everyone has an opinion. Thats what sites like this are all about, a platform for fans to compare their views with others. If myself or others feel it's a good deal, we are allowed to say so, and allowed to state our reasons why.
Rory Slingo
230 Posted 12/08/2012 at 22:38:22
I used to think that investing in the squad was the way forward but I think the time for that has come and gone. As Chelsea and City have shown, it takes hundreds of millions of pounds now to win the title. And as our dear neighbours have shown, you can also spend hundreds of millions of pounds and still come nowhere near winning it. So I don't see how 'investing' in the squad is going to improve the situation at Everton because the kind of players we can afford to bring in won't even have us challenging for 4th let alone win the title.

First of all, Rodwell would not have made the difference in us qualifying for CL. Just my opinion based on past performance. Now let's say Moyes is given some or all of that money from the sale of Rodwell to spend. We add a right back, a right-sided midfielder and maybe cover for Jelavic. Best case scenario, we finish 4th and qualify for the CL. We might make an extra ~£3m from finishing higher up the table but would've spent £10-12m to get there. We might even have a good cup run and win the FA or League Cup. An extra couple of mil there. We've still only made back about half of what was 'invested' into the squad. Meanwhile, the debt is still there, the size of the squad won't be able to contend with the extra European games so we'll still have to sell to buy because no one will lend us any money! So even in the best case scenario we would've made a net loss of ~£6m and would be in a worse position then if we had just paid off £12m of debt and finished 8th again as most would expect.

Imho, the best thing to do is consolidate our position in the league, spend just enough to keep up with the Joneses just so we don't fall behind, and concentrate on wiping out that debt. It is crippling the club and we can't do anything because of it. No investor is going to touch us until it's wiped out because investors want to get their money back as soon as possible, then see some return on their investment. With the club making a loss or barely breaking even every year and having to sell players to balance the books, that will take eons and our supply of players that could fetch £15-20m is finite and shrinking. No sane person would ever invest their hard-earned in the current state of the club. And no buyer wants to spend £40m wiping out the debt introduced by his predecessors when it could be better put towards players or a new stadium/re-development. EFC will have to dig itself out of its own hole before we see the back of BK.

Kristian Boyce
231 Posted 12/08/2012 at 22:44:51
How many people had Rodwell in their fantasy Premier League teams?

Or more bluntly, who would've had him in their first choice starting line up? I like Rodwell but he's been stuck in the 'good potential' bracket for too long. He's been a media darling for ages now, plus the poster boy of the Team GB football team.

From the minute he made the 1st team he has always been linked away from us but, after last season, I'm shocked that we have got so much money for him.
Shane Corcoran
232 Posted 12/08/2012 at 22:55:00
Again Michael and Lyndon, can you tell me where the £12m - £15m figures have come from?

It's just that I notice there's no wording such as "believed to be" before it. So is this definite? Because if it's not it will make quite a few posts on the topic redundant?

Kristian, please tell me you're taking the piss with your fantasy football remark.

Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
233 Posted 12/08/2012 at 23:02:13
Shane, According to our beloved and trusted masters at Everton FC, the fee is undisclosed.

Gregg O'Keefe originally said £15M in the Echo.

Phil McNulty on Twatter says £12M plus £5M in add-ons...

In the latest piece linked from the Echo, Gregg O'Keefe now also says £12M plus £5M in add-ons

Meanwhile, Everton say: Undisclosed.

Barry Rathbone
234 Posted 12/08/2012 at 23:10:28
Robert 256

I hope not, our record of paying 30% more for returning players a la Pienaar would be quite upsetting!

John Crawley
235 Posted 12/08/2012 at 23:11:52
I'd go with Phil McNulty's figures he's got plenty of good contacts and he's not reliant on keeping on a good footing with the club.
John Crawley
236 Posted 12/08/2012 at 23:16:24
Barry think it was more like 50% extra for Pienaar £3m to £4.5?
James Stewart
237 Posted 12/08/2012 at 23:36:26
As I said earlier its a great deal for a bit part injury prone player but the Bullshit Bill annual sell to stay afloat business model goes on another year.

I wouldn't be quite so unconcerned had it been Baines or Heitinga. I guess they will be next years interest payment though.

Nick Millington
238 Posted 12/08/2012 at 23:41:26
First we hear £15M to £20M, then £12M to £17M. How much will we actually spend, Mr Kenwright? I reckon £0.
Mike Powell
239 Posted 12/08/2012 at 23:32:51
Thank you Man City — £15 mill for an Everton reserve. Any one who thinks this is not a good deal is a fool. He was not good enough for our first team, simple as that. I just hope we get a right winger in with the money and maybe a right back. This could be the best deal of the summer.
Simon Spencer
240 Posted 12/08/2012 at 23:54:07
I am of the opinon it might not be that bad if we actually did not invest the money back into the team (apart from a loan signing or two). Perhaps this may mean we may not need to get a loan for an advance of the Sky money; perhaps this may keep interest payments down, perhaps this may mean with the decrease in wages since July 2011 we can finally begin to live within our means. I would rather we get our financial house in order to allow us in future years to be able to have a net spend each season.

Overall, I'm not too disappointed. For one, I am sure we will get the add ons; two, the £12m probably was paid up front; and finally, has our first team actually been significantly weakened?
Andy Callen
241 Posted 13/08/2012 at 00:02:16
I was suprised to read the deal has been worked on for a number of weeks - to me this all came out of the blue.

I wish Jack luck. I do believe he will eventually develop into a quality midfielder, it is just a shame Everton are no longer in a position to give players like Rodwell more time to develop while at Goodison NSNO

Paul Andrews
242 Posted 13/08/2012 at 00:09:02
Spot the contradiction.

Rodwell is shit, he will be on the bench... he will not get a game.... Good deal that £12 million up front and £5 million when he plays x amount of games.
I said it earlier, why would the club want an undisclosed fee?

Wesley Coles
243 Posted 13/08/2012 at 00:17:31
Great business. he's a great lad, but 4 goals in 85 injury interrupted games is not worth between 12 - 17 million. Well done Moyes.
John Crawley
244 Posted 13/08/2012 at 00:18:56
Paul I'd say undisclosed fee means less accountability about what is spent on strengthening the squad!
Chad Schofield
245 Posted 13/08/2012 at 00:59:48
My gut reaction was shock, then £15M+ seemed like a good deal all round really. Now at £12M (possibly more with add ons) feels a little cheap. Unfortunately we were not using him and but it would have been a gamble to hold on to him.

I wish him luck, but if I was being really cynical then I'd hope the move prooves unsuccesful, because as some people suggested it might lure others away for higher wages.

Tom Bowers
246 Posted 12/08/2012 at 20:55:22
I sincerely hope this is something we won't give a second thought as the season get's under way. However, judging by past events in previous seasons, we have had misgivings over a few talented players Everton let go.

It is imperative Moyes invests this money wisely to strengthen the midfield area. We basically have the same players as last season which were not good enough despite some useful results that could have gone either way.
Jamie Sweet
247 Posted 13/08/2012 at 01:09:53
To put this into perspective, I replaced the name Rodwell in the title, and replace with the names Baines or Fellaini (or even Barkley for that matter). It made me feel much better. The highest value player we could lose without impacting the first team too badly. Had to be done.
Phil Bellis
248 Posted 13/08/2012 at 01:27:07
Jamie (309)..."Had to be done" – still sad, though, and does no credit to the EFC Board of tossers who call the shots (or the "secret" Board puppet masters).
Keith Glazzard
249 Posted 13/08/2012 at 01:28:13
Can anybody tell me why a football club should disclose such information? I've always regarded it as bogus anyway. How much this year? next year? and so on. Agents involved? Garbaggio.

James Stewart - "As I said earlier its a great deal for a bit part injury prone player but the Bullshit Bill annual sell to stay afloat business model goes on another year."

I totally agree with the first part of your statement, and if we had offered Rodwell to Stoke or Sunderland for, say, £10m I would go along with the rest. But the current Prem champions with pockets deeper than their oilwells have come in and offered the player 3X his wages, and paying EFC what I regard as a lot of money for this player.

Was this BB's cunning scheme? Are they buying a pup to keep us afloat, an act of footballing charity? I doubt that they see it that way.

In any case, all that shit about Rodwell and Old Trafford goes into the trash where it belonged in the first place. Please tell me, anyone, if you tipped Jack to go to Middle Eastlands. Yes, he may well have been on his way out, but for footballing reasons as much as anything else.

Jason Lam
250 Posted 13/08/2012 at 02:22:41
'Moyes 5 Mancini 1' - I got the 1 Premier League title for Mancini, couldn't make out the 5 for Moyes.

I rate Rodwell as a player. It's just Gibson is more suited to Everton's style of play under Moyes.

Edward Simpson
251 Posted 13/08/2012 at 02:41:25
I can understand some people's disappointment in this move but there is so much negativity just because we got rid of him. He has a tonne of potential, but he didn't do anything for us.

We have a very good squad, obviously we need cover for Jelavic and a few other places. Surely this is good news to the club, imagine if we sold Baines for this much? I would be worried if that happened.

I don't think Moyes and the board are stupid though, we will get players in, whether on loan like last season or using some or little of the money we have. I think David Moyes knows we need cover, and I don't think anyone needs to panic either, just because we have a small squad. Something will happen.

There are positives though, £12-17m for a bench warmer, two very good players signed permanently, Fellaini and Baines should stay as it is all just pure speculation, Moyes will be very stupid to get rid of them and everyone at the club will be keeping a firm grip on them.

We have some fantastic youth coming through; Junior looks great, Duffy looks like a good defender. Coleman impressed me in the friendlies, so maybe he might have a good season. Maybe Barkley will be involved in the United game with Gibson being injured until the second game (could be wrong about that).

There is plenty to be optimistic about, and when we get a few loan players in (maybe someone permanent) most of us will be happy. I'm personally looking forward to the United game as I do think we can get a result there.

I'm just trying to be positive instead of being negative. We have virtually the same squad that finished the season on a high but now with a excellent talent in Naismith, if we can recapture what we did there then what's to stop us getting into the Europa league?

Ryan Rosenberg
252 Posted 13/08/2012 at 03:07:28
So disappointing. Has bag loads of potential and to see us sell him for such a nominal fee before he can reach his peak is horrible. Has been marred by injuries; we all know what he is capable of. 12mil is a joke, we could have held out for more. Worth more than Allen and Henderson. Not even sure if the money will go for a replacement. Kenwright out.
Peter Barry
253 Posted 13/08/2012 at 02:08:24
There is an old saying "Beggars can't be choosers' and under Daft Davey and Billy Liar that describes Everton to a 'T".
Peter Barry
254 Posted 13/08/2012 at 04:13:33
"It will be the first time he is at a club that plays to win - it will be different for him." - Roberto Mancini talking about Jack Rodwell.

Seems like the word is out in football circles about Dire Dour Defensive Davey Boy.

Ste Traverse
255 Posted 13/08/2012 at 05:26:39
It's laughable a few whoppers are saying it's time to promote Barkley with Rodwell moving on.

If Ross does the business he'll be the next quality young player that the shitty Kenwright regime has sold.

Peter Barry
256 Posted 13/08/2012 at 05:42:43
If anyone cares to remember I predicted at the end of the Season that Everton would make no 'BIG' incoming Transfers just freebies and Loaners and that close to the end of the window they would sell a big name.
Seems I am strangely prescient or can I just read daft Davey and Billy Liar like a book.

BTW before you TW Moyesophile sycophants start - Peanuts RETURNING at a loss of face and money to Everton is NOT a BIG signing. But it is a pathetic joke on Everton by Spurs.

Ernie Baywood
257 Posted 13/08/2012 at 06:13:31
Can you be prescient when the whole world knew that was the likely outcome?

Disappointing to see Jack go, but the reality is that we'd all rather him than Baines or Fellaini and it seems like we got decent money.

Matt Woods
258 Posted 13/08/2012 at 06:51:52
Everyone knows we have to sell at the moment, because we are in mountains of debt. Pretty much undisputed fact. No, we do not want to sell good young players, but we need to generate funds from somewhere. This is reality at Everton and at other clubs. Football as we all know is buisness, and like it or not has been for quite a while. Its heartbreaking seeing The Toffees broke, but ffs we have just got to suck it up and make the best of it. Sorry, but Kenwright is going nowhere in a hurry and the sale of Jack Rodwell will have been a long debated ordeal, in the sense that someone will have to go. In our current situation it is the right decision. Rodwell although having the ingredients of a quality footballer, he lacks vision and his decision making is too slow and predictable. Although he is endowed with a wonderful physique, he is unable to boss a game....he has no personality. Put simply you can't play him and Fellaini together. As things stands we get in some coin and Rodwell gets the chance to progress. Maybe he'll surprise us, but I can see a lot of bench warming ahead.
David Chait
259 Posted 13/08/2012 at 08:01:06
Ste.. so your argument is keep Ross behind closed doors for the next number of years in case he is any good and we end up selling him.. makes sense.. ummmm... not
Phil Martin
260 Posted 13/08/2012 at 08:07:16
Can't be pleased about selling one of our best young players. A player's growth is not always in a straight line. He still has the potential to be great.

£12M? That's little over half a Henderson or a Downing. It's a third of Andy Carroll. Great Business again by EFC. Our desperation for money puts in a situation where we cant even name our price to mega-bucks City .

Thanks Bill, when does Moysey get to re-invest his £250k out of this transfer fee?

Anto Byrne
262 Posted 13/08/2012 at 08:33:45
Its mooted that Cahill will be back in January to bolster the team and attack corner flags. (not good) All in all its business as usual at Everton. I am hoping we can get that creative midfielder and super fast winger. Of course this is Everton so don't be surprised if we lose both Baines and Fellaini in the next few days to appease the banks and give Moyes the excuse to leave. (if only) . I just cant get excited about this new season, lets hope they prove me wrong and do the business. (sigh) Oh once married to a whore there is no going back.
Richard Jones
263 Posted 13/08/2012 at 08:48:55
Its all too familiar.... I cant wait to see how much Moyes gets to reinves,t Rooney, Lescott, Arteta and Rodwell all sold late on and Moyes gets some change back... Its a fucking disgrace how this club is being run and to read the limp wrisited comments on here about how we have to accept it, is the saddest thing of all.


Amanda Huddleston
264 Posted 13/08/2012 at 07:50:39
Mankini must have thought If you can't beat them ..... buy them

I agree it's a disappointment as Jack showed promise. Sadly we can only afford here and now. Sad reality.

Mark Pierpoint
265 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:04:43
Rodwell showed promise true, but I always judge a player when during the big games, you feel you are glad that player is on our team. Yes for Felliani, Baines, Jags, Heitinga, Jelavic Pienaar, but I can't honestly say that there was ever an occasion where I thought, 'glad Rodwell is on that pitch, he will make the difference' I hope it works out for him at City. Comes across as a thouroughly good lad, but at the moment as someone brilliantly put he does very little on that pitch extremly gracefully. |Good luck Jack
Denis Richardson
266 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:05:28
I think this is actually a good move for both club and player, although I think Rodwell would have been better off going to utd instead of city. I just don't believe he was ever going to achive his full potential at Everton, where no one knows where his best position is or failed to get him playing at his potential.

Think utd would have been a better bet for hime given their track record with youngsters. Interesting to see what happens to him at city over the next couple of years. With the midfileders thay currently have, he certainly will not be making regular first team appearances - presumably.

For Everton, its 12m of badly needed cash. Hopefully some will be used to clear some of the debt with a little given to the manager to finally bring in someone in the midfield who has some pace.

At least he still has almost 3 weeks till the window shuts.

Brent Stephens
267 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:09:48
Peter Barry 323 "BTW before you TW Moyesophile sycophants start - Peanuts RETURNING at a loss of face and money to Everton is NOT a BIG signing. But it is a pathetic joke on Everton by Spurs".

Peter, you still don't understand that selling a player near the end of his contract and then later buying him back for a higher price while he's not long into a new contract with another team is not the same as selling a car and then buying it back for a higher mount. All to do with different types of market and market values. See previous posts in previous threads about peanuts.

Craig Walker
268 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:10:20
£100k a week for someone who can pass a ball sideways to the nearest man. A prime example of someone who can get up and down the pitch but has limited technical ability.

I wish the lad luck but I never saw what all the fuss was about to be honest.

Just hope Moyes gets to reinvest.

Paul Andrews
269 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:15:46
Richard @341.

No mate,i keep hearing it`s good business.
The spin doctors have got more fans than you would think possible accepting the bollox.
"Another one of our young international players gone lads.
It`s all for the good of the club though"

Matthew Tait
270 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:27:48
It was obvious that Rodwell or Fellaini was going to go this offseason, and I'm glad it was Rodwell. I only wish we'd sold him last summer, when his value was higher.

Still, it's fairly good deal - I'm not sure he'll ever really be worth what City paid (those wages!!!). Even if does turn out to be valuable longer-term, he's worth more to us in cash than he is as a player. With Fellaini and Gibson being such similar (and better) players there's no room in the side for Rodwell, and the money is better reinvested elsewhere - preferably with the squad on a right midfielder, but probably in large part with the bank. Oh well.

Chris James
271 Posted 13/08/2012 at 07:38:34
Sigh, typical Toffeeweb.
Yet again the bitterest of blues are out to indulge in a whinge fest turning what has to be seen as good news (i.e. getting rid of a fringe player for decent money) into a glass half full slice of club-bashing nonsense.

Let's look at the facts:
1) Rodwell had 1 or 2 good games over 2 years
2) He's been repeatedly injured and looks pretty fragile
3) When he was fit, most of the time he came on he looked ineffectual and made an art out of the sideways/backwards pass
4) Yes, he's been groomed by the youth England setup but he's a back-up player for Everton
5) We have no money for transfers and need to sell to buy
6) Other saleable assets who could attract a decent price tag include Felliani, Baines, Heitinga, Jagielka, Jelavic.

Against all of the above, £12M+5M add-ons seems like insanely good value. Sure Henderson went for more, but to be fair he'd been playing regularly (and pretty well) prior to his sale. And besides ,look at the results, he's hardly been a good advert for paying over the odds for young British talent has he.

So my advice is let's take the money, wish Jack well and hang onto our bile for a little bit to see what happens in the transfer window in the next few weeks. If Moyes is given £6-7M I think he can bring in at least 2 players (and maybe a couple of loanees too) before the window closes.

Brent Stephens
272 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:46:36
Chris James 350.

That sums it all up nicely for me. Both the concise statement of facts (and opinion) and your statement about "Yet again the bitterest of blues are out to indulge in a whinge fest".

Thanks, mate. There are many, many more on TW who support what you say.

Paul Andrews
273 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:47:55
Chris,

all due respect you have answered your own question there mate.
£12-15 million in, and Moyes will get £6-7 million to bring 2 players in and maybe a couple of loanees.And before anyone mentions Cahill,Arteta etc it is very difficult to find Premiership players for £3million nowadays.
The fringe player will play for his country in the upcoming fixture by the way.

John Feeley
274 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:26:12
Rodwell: 85 apps, 4 goals.

Gibson: 80 apps in a Man U shirt, 11 goals.

Both similar in their ability to protect that back four (ie. less good than Carsely)..

Both had 5 or 6 moments respectively where they looked class (Gibson's volleys, Rodders skinning Kompany my particular favourite)......

Both very unlikely to get game time in Manchester.

Gibson for Rodwell with 13-15m in change is likely very good business on its own and that's before injuries - Gibson played every game from a cold start....Rodders record was beginning to have shades of James Vaughan about it.

So on its own good business......and I'm breathing a massive sigh of relief that its was Rodwell not Fellaini that Mancini fancied (although the later is now wondering how Rodders now earns 2x what he does)...

Agree with comments on the Board on here...

Current operating plan of the club is unsustainable - valuable home grown talents, much like the bankruptcy of Rangers are one-time events that have bailed us out this year.

As for the comments in his press release - this sort of thing is usually agreed between the clubs and typed up by a PR hack - so suspicion is warranted.

The key problem is that we have some laughibly priced debt - the banks (and others, fill in the blanks) have clearly extended us credit at loanshark rates in the past - blame on the board not the banks for that by the way! So if we're not going to buy players with Rodwell money I'd at least like to hear the club say - 'here's how much expensive debt we got rid of and it will save us X per season in interest cost' that would actually be acceptable - but I doubt they will.

Phil Bellis
275 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:51:56
Let's hope we have no regrets if we ever watch him lead out the England team
Martin Mason
276 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:52:48
Looking at it again the club gets a good wedge of cash to pay off some debt and a sizeable sum to buy a player in a position where they are weak. Surely they have concluded a fantastic piece of business for EFC and they should be commended. Rodwell was probably not going to become a key player for EFC but he may do so at Citeh.
Joe Bibb
277 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:49:49
Moyes will get some money he will rush out and get another goalkeeper as cover for Howard . he brought in a 40 year old goalie on loan when we were skint and paid him for 6 months to do nothing.
Good Luck to young Jack he will be a star , maybe thats why Ego Moyes got rid.
Alan Clarke
278 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:53:16
Chris, you're missing the point. I don't think many will argue that £17 million for Rodwell is not bad business for a player who started 4 games last year. The point is Moyes won't see any of that money to reinvest in the team.

You only have to look at the precedent already set by Kenwright with the fire sale that took place last summer with only loanees coming in. Moyes even admitted the Arteta money went straight to the banks.

The 'whingefest' is not about the loss of Rodwell as a player but what it represents. Our small squad has yet again become smaller this year and people are celebrating the fact declaring it as 'good business'.

Where has this £6-7million figure come from that Moyes has to spend? Plucked out of thin air no doubt by Kenwright's happy clappers.

Ciarán McGlone
279 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:54:52
"what has to be seen as good news"
-------------

Why exactly does it 'HAVE' to be seen as good news?

Because that's your opinion? Because you don't have the foresight to see that this lad is the best thing to come out of this club since Rooney?

Because you fail to appreciate that it's part of a cancerous malaise that is eating away at this club?

Good news? Do me a fucking favour.

Bitter? You're fucking right.

I'd rather be bitter than an uncle Tom for the regime that has this club on its knees.

Fucking shameful post.

Matt Traynor
280 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:59:14
Denis #351, I get what you are saying about Man Utd, but I think one of the biggest myths in football is the famous Man U academy. Aside from the great crop of "Fergie Fledglings" that came out, they've produced very little, and actually tend to poach promising youngsters away from the clubs they started with. Aside from Rooney, they took the likes of Cleverley away at a very young age (12 I think) from Bradford. You could probably argue that they could claim the credit on that one, but you'd be amazed at how many neutrals (and overseas Man U fans) actually believe that the likes of Rooney, Cleverley, the da Silva twins, Hernandez etc came all the way through the ranks at Man U.
Paul Andrews
281 Posted 13/08/2012 at 10:08:23
Rodwell was not going to be a key player at Everton,but may become a key player at the winners of the Premiership.
You might want to think that one through.
Chris James
282 Posted 13/08/2012 at 10:07:53
It's totally true that £6-7M is plucked out of the air, but so is the 'Moyes will get nothing to spend' statement. It's all speculation.
But we all know we have debts, IF Moyes gets a good chunk of what's come in AND we pay off some debt that's surely smart business all round?

The fact Rodwell is playing for an experimental England side means nothing.
1. England are largely shit (as demonstrated at Euro and Olympic level again this summer)
2. Carlton Palmer played for England (I could name 100 hopeless players given time who had a cap)

Max Fine
283 Posted 13/08/2012 at 09:40:13
£12 million UP-FRONT is excellent business for EFC. Rodwell has been 'promising' for four years now, and hasn't been able to find a place in a midfield containing Neville for goodness sake. Also, it's a bit of an ask to compare the overall fee to the Downing / Henderson transfer fees as these were probably staggered over 3-4 years. How much did we receive up-front for the Rooney transfer for instance?

Like most, I'm a bit gutted to see a young local lad leave, but it's been clear for the last couple of season that he is a bit of an enigma. His premiership posture and Viera-esque physique mimic a world-class footballer... but the lad is a footballing dunce. I'm not convinced you can coach that out of someone.

Thankfully Moyes has only given the armchair scouts fleeting glances of Rodwell... just enough to convince them he is still a 'prospect' and worth the punt given their need to increase young British squad numbers in time for the new UEFA rulings on 'home-grown' talent.

Like it or not we are a club that needs to sell to survive. We do not have the luxury of waiting to see if our Branche's / Cadamarteri's / Jeffers' / come good when silly money is floated under our noses... and £12-17 million for a reserve-team player who most were convinced would never make the grade IS silly money.

Tony J Williams
285 Posted 13/08/2012 at 10:12:49
I asked the Oracle of all that is worthy, my arl fella, who has seen some of the greats play since the 50's. I told him that we had just sold Rodwell, his response?......."I'm not arsed" That'll do for me.

Also Predictable Peter, you are not special. About 90% of us said the exact same thing. We wouldn't buy a big name but we would sell one. If you can call a player with less than 14 games in two years a big name?

Phil Bellis
286 Posted 13/08/2012 at 10:13:04
Chris

Alan (360) is spot on
Look at the Senior Squad Player Profiles screen on the OS

2 goalkeepers, 4 oufield players with 22 appearances between them
No contingency in that lot

I hope I'm wrong and Moyes gets some decent cash out of this but how will you feel if we only keep enough away from the banks to pay next season's police bill?

Andrew Ellams
287 Posted 13/08/2012 at 10:24:08
You can't compare this to the fees that Liverpool paid for some of the dross that they bought last season. Dalglish was a dinosaur who was well out of his depth in the modern game and Commoli just didn't seem to care so they got mugged by the selling clubs. And whilst City might be prepared to spend big to get their man, they don't seem to get it wrong very often and I doubt you could mug them off to that extent.
Paul Holmes
288 Posted 13/08/2012 at 10:14:48
Lets be honest here, I thought we had missed the boat getting good money for Rodwell, he is at best 'average' from what he has produced at Everton.

The two games that stood out for me was when we got knocked out the FA Cup to Championship side Reading at home, Rodwell played the whole game and was anonymous against so-called lower level midfielders! Also the Anfield derby last season when old man Gerrard scored 3 from their midfield, young man Rodwell at best was hitting the corner flag with his shots!

A big 'well done' to Moyes and Kenwright for getting so much! Plus Barkley will turn out to be much better in the future. Rodwell will end up being loaned out to Blackburn while Barkley will end up playing for England.
Brent Stephens
289 Posted 13/08/2012 at 10:34:44
Paul Andrews 363 says: "Rodwell was not going to be a key player at Everton,but may become a key player at the winners of the Premiership.
You might want to think that one through".

Paul, it might not be a question of whether he'd become a key player but when that happens. So, you could argue that it's just that Everton can't afford to wait whereas MC can afford to wait and have him on the bench (Mancini's comments point to that).

Steve Smith
290 Posted 13/08/2012 at 10:11:56
Although I said earlier in this post that, given the choice, I would of kept him... thinking about it, I can't remember any occasion where I've thought, we could do with Rodwell today or, hope Rodwell's fit to start etc.

Gibson has taken his role, does it better, is more positive, makes the midfield look safe and gives confidence for our more forward thinking midfielders to get up and support the likes of Jella and now Naismith as well.

I hope the money is used to improve the squad (it has to be if we are serious about trying to win anything). This time next year, I've got a feeling this type of thread will be about Fellaini (although for twice the amount of money at least). Fellaini is going to be huge for us this season imo, and I think clubs will be forming a queue to sign him up.
Steavey Buckley
291 Posted 13/08/2012 at 10:51:02
It's been posted that Rodwell is injury prone, but what about Gibson? And he is supposed to be a reliable pairing with Fellaini this coming season.
David Chait
292 Posted 13/08/2012 at 10:44:04
Steve we have had Fella rumours for a couple years.... like Rodders... but the difference is Fella has been vital to us every year!

I'm a Rodders apologist.. but he isn't good enough to tie Fella's shoelaces.

Steve Smith
293 Posted 13/08/2012 at 10:59:17
David #386
Couldn't agree more, that's what I'm worried about, I think it's only a matter of time before someone makes an offer for Felli that we can't refuse, at this moment in time Rodwell's not a great loss imo, good luck to the lad, and I hope it works out well for him, I just hope his deal hasn't turned a few heads in our remaining squad.

294 Posted 13/08/2012 at 11:08:22
Best of luck to Jack. In an ideal world (IE one where Everton had some money) I would have liked to see him stay and fulfil his potential, but I have to agree with all the comments saying that £15-20m for a 21yr old who is injury prone and has never really lived up to the hype is great business for the club. We have other midfield prospects coming through, the banks have been placated and Moyes can invest some money in players we really need and who might get a regular game. At least he has time now to bring players in. Everton is bigger than individual players and sometimes we have to sacrifice one or two to make the team as a whole stronger. I wouldn't call Rodwell dead wood, but we can live without him!
Phil Walling
295 Posted 13/08/2012 at 11:12:59
Rodwell was never anymore than `potentially`a good player for Everton.He will have been sold with Moyes` blessing and the great man will know precisely how much of the fee he will have available to him to re-invest.I may well blame Kenwright for the overall state of our finances but I have no doubt that it is the bank who now micro-manage cashflow and it will be them who determine how many loanees we may bring in this window.
Kevin Gillen
296 Posted 13/08/2012 at 11:10:21
I have to admire the blind optimism of our fans above. If we can get £7 million of the Rodwell money we might get a right back, a flying winger and a 20 goal a season striker to play alongside Jelavic. What have the last transfer windows told you about Everton FC?

We justify our optimism by pretending Rodwell was crap, that he didn't deliver, that he'll be on the bench at City, that all the top managers chasing him or choosing him for England were deluded.

You call it how it is, that is, the squad is now weaker as a result of this transfer and we have lost a potentially iconic young talent as a result of the failure of the board to provide a progressive business model for Everton FC despite an incredibly lucrative TV deal on the table and you are accused of being naive, wrong, a whinger or even, laughably unrealistic.

Wake up and smell the coffee. We are about to embark on a new season where our primary goal will be Premiership survival, and our secondary goal will be a scramble for sixth place, whilst avoiding the fate of Rangers FC. It simply isn't good enough for Everton FC.
Tony J Williams
297 Posted 13/08/2012 at 11:22:50
"It's been posted that Rodwell is injury prone, but what about Gibson? And he is supposed to be a reliable pairing with Fellaini this coming season." - The facts are irrefutable Steavey, 14 games in 2 years. Gibson almost matched that in just over 4 months (11)
Tony J Williams
298 Posted 13/08/2012 at 11:27:41
"We justify our optimism by pretending Rodwell was crap, that he didn't deliver, that he'll be on the bench at City, that all the top managers chasing him or choosing him for England were deluded." - He was far from crap Kevin and when he first came on the scene we all were thinking he would be a superstar. He hasn't delivered, one wonder goal against the Mancs and a good header against Villa in the quarters does not a superstar make.

The managers aren't deluded but one of them thought that Koncheski was the best left back in England.

He will no doubt improve at City, if he gets off the bench but it was probably more to do with the "home grown" quota than thinking he would add something extra to their midfield of stars.

Denis Richardson
299 Posted 13/08/2012 at 11:26:42
Matt 362, understand where you are coming from but my point was more about manu giving youth a chance to play as opposed to bringing through players through their youth ranks. Think Manu would have been perfect for Rodwell, I'm just worried he's going to see little action on the pitch at city - they've got some very good midfielders already, who can't even make the first team, let alone the likes of Silva, Toure, Nasri, De Jong etc.

I think you should probably give Fergie a bit more credit on the youth front though. If a club takes a plyer on when he's 12, I would give credit to that club for bring him up to first team standards by the age of 18/19. Re the De Silva twins, Manu scouted them when they were 15 and agreed with the brazilian club to take them when 17, so not sure they nicked them. Also current players like Evans, Wellbeck & Fletcher came through the youth ranks.

Anyway, good luck to the kid and 100k a week! Foook me blind with a barge pole!

Kevin Gillen
300 Posted 13/08/2012 at 11:44:28
Tony @ 400 - true we haven't seen the best of this lad yet. Lots of young players suffer injuries when they first come into the game. I can remember Giggs being nursed through three years of hamstring tears and Michael Owen going through similar. I really believe this lad will be a superstar in the future in central defence, the next Rio Ferdinand. I am just sick of having to put up with the mediocrity that has pervaded our club.

I am a Moyes supporter by and large but I don't know why he has continued to put up with the constant regression of having to sell on our brightest talent (Rooney, Lescott, Arteta, Pienaar and now Rodwell). The board have failed to deliver and I see no plan other than survival. I'm not a universal critic of the board, they have improved some aspects of the club marginally and I refuse to get into slanging matches with other Evertonians, or get sucked into the silly schoolboy name calling about senior people at the club.

I want a sober debate about the state of our club, not PR press conferences by BK, not even obvious resigned sulking by DM, and a clear plan to improve the club, starting with a new stadium and a sound financial plan with new investment and an accountable board. I could put with the mediocrity if I saw a plan to improve the club in any substantial way but I hate the positive spin being put on losing another one of our best homegrown talent when all that it seems to achieve is to keep us from administration.

I remember going to Old Trafford in the 70s, I've been there recently to see the Blues and am amazed at the progress at their ground and their whole infrastructure. We are so far behind them. Also, as a coach I know what it takes to produce a talent like Rodwell and it must be heartbreaking for people at the club who have nurtured his talent to see him walk out the door.
Matt Traynor
301 Posted 13/08/2012 at 11:57:09
Denis #401, I'd agree that Man U have invested in youth as an alternative to splashing the cash on established players. I think the problem with "talented" youth players has gone 2 ways - the fees, and the wages being offered.

This is not a criticism of Rodwell, but this transfer shows the gulf now between the "haves" and "have nots". As well as a sizeable transfer fee, they are reportedly playing him £100k a week. We pay our top player £70k a week. These clubs can simply sweep aside from the loyalty argument by dangling cash. Rodwell will certainly be no closer to first team football at City than he was at Goodison, but he will have a lot more in the bank. My main concern is in his mind, and his agent's, he's "made it", and if he never fulfills whatever potential people thought he had, will it really matter?

Rory Slingo
302 Posted 13/08/2012 at 12:00:04
#397 Kevin, most on here I think recognize the board's failings in getting us into this mess. The only person I see saying otherwise is Martin Mason, who wants to commend them for taking the only sensible decision in a situation of their own making. I won't be joining him.

If someone could illustrate how they think 'investing' in the playing squad will magically get us out of the financial shit instead of getting us deeper in it, maybe they'd stop getting labelled unrealistic? The only way I see of getting out of the debt is by *drumroll* paying it off!

Jamie Barlow
303 Posted 13/08/2012 at 12:15:44
Well done Predictable Peter@323, you must be so proud.

You were wrong though.

Brent @346, he knows full well that that is the case but that doesn't fit in with his 'bash everything to do with Everton' agenda.

Derek Williams
304 Posted 13/08/2012 at 13:15:08
This is a great bit of business. Conducted super fast (I know). £12m up front for a decent player plagued with injury. Plus a possible £5m in add-ons. He left with dignity and respect unlike other self lauded true blues.

With plenty of time left to find 3 or 4 more decent injury free players, and the door seemingly open with Man City for swappsies, I can't find any downside (apart from the Owen possibility).

I'm looking forward to this season more than any in the past 5 or 6 years.
Kevin Gillen
305 Posted 13/08/2012 at 13:19:48
Rory @406. I would have no problem with that plan if there was a degree of transparency about where the money has gone but over the years I have developed a degree of cynicism about our financial operations and any clear accountable statement of our position vis a vis the debt.

If there are plans to pay off the debt by selling off our playing assets I think the fans would be happy to hear them and then they could go to the games knowing that is what they are dealing with.

In my view it is dishonest to keep pretending we are fully committed to competing at the highest level when we plainly are not. The fans though are beginning to see through all the PR and they are voting gradually with their feet. We need change.
Roberto Birquet
306 Posted 13/08/2012 at 12:28:07
Mark; My guess is that Moyes gets £9m or £10m out of this and £5m goes to the next 12 month shortfall.
---------------
If I am not mistaken, we have significantly cut our wage bill since the reports of our overpsending by £5m a year.

This took me by surprise, as Rodwell follows another CM (Cahill) out. But it was the one area where we had plenty of players: six, including attacking mid - Cahill. If you consider Naismith a straight (but unlikely as good) replacement for Cahill, we are still at five (Fellaini, Osman, Barkley, Gibson, Naismith). And we can't really afford more as we need another striker, desperately.

I hope we sell Anichebe, and use the funds to bring in a striker and at least one more player; one of full-back, right mid, or CM.

Phil Bellis
307 Posted 13/08/2012 at 13:50:29
Rory (#406)

Moyes himself said recently that we don't need a billionaire or 100s of millions (though he agreed it would be "nice") but an amount of cash each season to allow him to improve the squad in depth and quality

At the moment, with this inept Board frantically bailing out the lifeboat after they've drilled holes in the bottom of it, our only hopes for more cash is by continuing to develop Academy players and sell them on, improved league placing, cup runs and the revenue from extra TV exposure being a better team would bring

If, big IF, we could get into the Champions (sic) League, we would have cash for improvement AND reducing the debt

Round and round we go
People say I'm a dreamer, but..

Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
308 Posted 13/08/2012 at 14:00:53
Okay, I've made a couple of Rumour threads for this Owen and Johnson speculation.

I'm closing this temporarily and moving the messages over there. If you have reputable links rather than speculation, please post them.

Rory Slingo
309 Posted 13/08/2012 at 13:42:18
Totally agree, Kevin #424 and I share your cynicism. Our annual accounts don't even shed any light on it as BK can't or won't tell us what £24m 'other operating costs' are. Can't wait to see whether that number goes up or down next after all the business done this summer and whether or not our debt has been reduced at all.

The lack of transparency from the board is dividing fans like never before and that's going to cost them in the long run. Which leads one to the conclusion that them being honest and transparent will cost them even more and that is why they don't do it.

John Sheron
310 Posted 13/08/2012 at 17:10:08
I have never seen Rodwell dominate a game during his first team years at Everton and from where i'm sat £12m is a steal on our behalf. He may well develop in to a better player at City but at Everton he was destined to be a disappointment.

I'd rather bank the cash, spend some on the odd transfer target, some on loan wages and the rest to the bank than continue to hope that Rodwell turns-in-to the player we'd dreamt he'd become.

David Israel
311 Posted 13/08/2012 at 17:50:01
Seems like a good piece of business, irrespective of whether it is £12M or £15M up front, provided Moyes gets a fair chunck of the cash.

I know the lad had been afflicted with injuries, but I think he had too often flattered only to deceive.

Paul Andrews
312 Posted 13/08/2012 at 19:11:12
There are 17 days left in the transfer window. Plenty of time for more departures. My feeling is that 2 more will go.
John Crawley
313 Posted 13/08/2012 at 19:33:29
Christ Paul I'm depressed enough as it is with our sell to survive policy without the thought of us having to sell more players!
Thomas McGrath
314 Posted 13/08/2012 at 19:51:20
I've just been reading the Everton pull-out in tonight's Echo... There is no mention of Rodwell in this season's squad; also, he is not in the team photo in the middle pages.

Seeing that this was printed last week, me thinks someone knew Jack was already on his way.
Jamie Barlow
315 Posted 13/08/2012 at 20:12:15
What do you base your miserable prediction on Paul?
Wayne Smyth
316 Posted 13/08/2012 at 20:25:52
£12M a good bit of business for a 21 year old on the fringes of the England squad, sold to the richest club in the world?

Sounds like a panic sale to me. Kenwright probably bit their arm off at the first offer.

Admittedly he's not yet lived up to his early promise, but look at how much henderson went for and he truly is a turd.

£15M would've been at the low-end of what I'd have expected to see him move on for....and if Moyes wanted Johnson, I'd have expected at the very least a season long loan arranged too.

We're lucky that we're relatively well endowed with centre midfield players, such as ossie, fellaini, barkley and gibson. What we're in dire need of is a quality right winger with a bit of pace. If we can get one of those with the proceeds then we'll be in much better shape than with rodwell in the squad.

Paul Andrews
317 Posted 13/08/2012 at 20:37:38
If you read the post again Jamie it will give you your answer.
Roy Midd
318 Posted 13/08/2012 at 20:50:20
We all knew Ross barkleys talent and having watched him recently he,s more talented than Rodwell , Maybe for that reason he was sold lets just hope the 15mill goes to moysey because at the moment lots goin out and nothin coming in.
Nigel Tufnell
319 Posted 14/08/2012 at 04:19:51
Good deal for us and Jack.

I always liked the look of him on the ball – comfortable and confident – but there seemed to be something missing.

Not enough goals, not enough tackles and not enough forward passes.

Nice bit of business... now, if we can just get a few mil for Vellios.....

Jamie Barlow
320 Posted 14/08/2012 at 11:14:36
I did and it didn't Paul.
Paul Andrews
321 Posted 14/08/2012 at 13:37:19
Let me break it down for you.

"My feeling". Not prediction.

Chad Schofield
322 Posted 14/08/2012 at 13:42:56
In fairness Paul it's simply semantics of seperating whether it's a feeling, a prediction, Russell Grant told you or you performed some kind of voodoo cermony... the fact is that something makes you suppose/guess/feel/predict that 2 more players will leave and Jamie was simply asking why. What do the roons say?
Paul Andrews
323 Posted 14/08/2012 at 18:21:29
Wayne junior is not so sure.
Wayne senior is in complete agreement
Ian Corky
324 Posted 15/08/2012 at 09:32:11
£12 - 15 Million for an injury prone player who never looked like fulfilling his potential with Everton. I do think Mankini is a cheeky bastard tho, Citeh have won 2 trophies in 40 years and spent many of those years outside of the top flight, in League One 6 years ago.. ring any bells?

Citeh win fuck all next season, Mankini will be on his toes and the arabs will take their fortune and shove it up some other poor disillusioned fans' arses somewhere else in Europe, give it 6 years, they will be back playing the Port Vales of this world.

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