Friends reunited as Moyes tries to unlock Rodwell potential

Jack Rodwell first made his name under David Moyes – now the midfielder is being challenged to finally fulfil his potential after the pair reunited at Sunderland.

It was under Moyes’ tutelage at Everton that the midfielder broke onto the scene, winning plaudits for his fearlessness and predictions of future greatness. In 2011, aged 20, he became an England international, and a move to Manchester City followed shortly.

Despite winning a Premier League and League Cup medal while at City, Rodwell failed to maintain a presence in the first team, recurrent injuries hampering his efforts to get into a midfield featuring Yaya Toure and Fernandinho.

Since arriving in the North East in 2014, four managers have been and gone and Rodwell, who is now 25, is yet to truly find the form promised by his early career.

Picked to start in their first match of the season, Moyes will feel he can unearth the box to box energy and strong tackles that made Rodwell such a highly rated prospect.

(Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)

“I think Jack – I have said it a little bit with Adnan [Januzaj] too – needs to stop being potential,” Moyes said.

“He needs to really decide ‘am I driven now to become a midfield player and one of the best I can possibly be?’

“He has a lot of the attributes to be a good footballer – he needs to show it.

“He has had a few managers and a few clubs, but I know Jack and hopefully I can get the best out of him.”