Many Everton fans have been reacting on social media after reports surfaced that Toffees product Jack Rodwell is set to undergo a medial with Serie A giant AS Roma.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Rodwell emerged as a potential target for Roma as the Stadio Olimpico outfit are in dire need of midfield reinforcements following a spate of injuries, with Amadou Diawara, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante currently unavailable (TransferMarkt).
Paulo Fonseca is not expected to have Pellegrini or Cristante available for selection until the turn of the year, either, after the former sustained a metatarsal fracture and the latter suffered a tear in the abductor muscle.
Rodwell is free to sign for Roma after being released by Blackburn Rovers earlier in the year, and it is expected that the 28-year-old will sign a short-term deal with the Giallorossi providing he passes his medical tests (Daily Mail).
The Toffees product was widely regarded as one of England’s most exciting emerging talents during his teenage years, but saw his career derailed through a spate of injuries that held him back.
But it is thought that his years of experience in the Premier League with Everton and later Manchester City and Sunderland makes Rodwell an attractive option for Roma, given the lack of options on the free agent market.
Rodwell watched Roma’s Europa League clash with Bundesliga leaders Borussia Monchengladbach on Thursday night at the Stadio Olimpico, having completed the first stage of his medical.
The Southport-born midfielder made 109 outings for Everton across all competitions before leaving the Blues for Man City in 2012, where he made 25 appearances in two-years prior to a switch to Sunderland where he featured 76 times over four season (TransferMarkt).
Reports of the three-time England international potentially joining Roma has seen Everton fans take to Twitter sharing that it is the funniest thing they’ve heard all week, with one supporter suggesting that it must be April Fools Day.
Here are some of the messages shared…
Funnyst ting AV heard all week ?????????????????????
— Marko Labee EFC (@EFCBlood) October 24, 2019
April fools
— Thomas Lamb (@thomaslamb81) October 24, 2019
I genuinely forgot he exist it’s been that long since seen or heard of him haha
— Jelly (@jellythemosher) October 24, 2019
Wait he still plays football
— David Cardus (@ZoneKiller217) October 24, 2019
I’d like to offer myself to Roma too
— adam (@ademl1999) October 24, 2019
Among the many reactions offered to Rodwell’s potential shock move to the Serie A, lots of Everton fans took note of the Giallorossi targeting an injury-prone player to make up numbers in their injury-ravished midfield.
Following his promotion into the Toffees senior fold in 2008, Rodwell suffered Achilles tendon problems in the 2009/10 campaign that ruled him out of five games. The following term saw ankle injuries deny the 28-year-old a further 14 appearances, while he missed two games in the 2011/12 season with a torn tendon (TransferMarkt).
Life at Manchester City returned even more time off with injuries for the 3-cap Three Lions man, as Rodwell missed 25 games with two hamstring strains and six matches with thigh problems.
A knock and a hamstring issue later denied Rodwell from making 11 outings for Sunderland, where he would see his career hit a major hurdle when the Black Cats wanted to tear up his £70,000-a-week contract after relegation into the Championship (Daily Mail).
Rodwell to solve injury crisis?!?! Italian football goes mad….
— Julian Farrell (@blue_julio) October 25, 2019
How is he going to help anyone injury problems?
— alan cartwright (@bencartwright69) October 24, 2019
So they sign an Injury problem to cover their injury problem. Makes sense
— MR LEE (@IAM_MR_LEE) October 24, 2019
I hope Roma have a lovely hospital
— AJ EFC Baldwin (@Jaws305) October 24, 2019
Reports of a potential move to the Stadio Olimpico and Europa League side Roma has seen one Everton fan suggest his transfer cannot be on a playing capacity, and suggested a different occupation for the free agent.
As Deputy head groundsman ??
— Rich (@Growlerxxx) October 24, 2019