The play maker of Sunderland FC, Jack Rodwell, believes that his lack of match appearances at his former club Manchester City was the main reason why he wasn’t selected in the England national squad for the FIFA World Cup 2014.
Rodwell had got the opportunity to play for the Three Lions for the first time at the senior level in 2011. He was an Everton player at that point of time and had been a regular there.
But, just a year after his international debut, Rodwell left Everton to join Manchester City and that proved to be not such a good move for him. He was made to warm the benches most of the time during his tenure at Etihad and that affected his international career adversely. He fell out of favour for England and was nowhere in contention for a place in the World Cup squad.
According to Rodwell, it’d not have happened to him if he had not gone to an Elite club like City.
In one of his interviews, when Rodwell was asked if he would suggest the teenaged players coming through the ranks to sign for the Elite clubs if they get the opportunity, he said, “No, I wouldn’t advise them to do that to be honest because at a young age, what you need the most is the playing time and you are not certain to get that at big clubs especially at City. It’s a tricky one actually because you can win titles there as well.”
When asked about him not being taken to Brazil by Roy Hodgson, the 23-year old said, “Had I had matches under my belt, I’d have been in with a chance for selection.”
Rodwell has played 3 matches for the England national team so far.