I think he's generally an underrated player in terms of his ability, but he's pretty inconsistent and only seems to perform on the right, anywhere else he disappears and may as well not play.

He could do OK for Chelsea, he could provide something different to what they have, he's a clever player and he's capable of 'picking the lock' every now and then. I would have thought if Chelsea were after that kind of player, they'd go all out for a top one like David Silva, but Benayoun could be a decent short term option if you were planning on bringing somebody through the academy or whatever.

Not a Blackpool fan by any stretch, but it made my day to see Ridsdale's face in the Royal Box at the end. Thank you and well done Blackpool

Another one for the Mancs then.

Rodwell's signed for the 5 years. So at least the speculation will disappear for this summer.

This summer yes.

Couple of years of nothing with the blues and he's still playing well and the Mancs come sniffing again..

Adrian Chiles is actually more boring than Gawy Wineker

To be fair, you must admit, if he continues to develop like he has done, he'll far exceed a club of Everton's stature. I remember watching him two/three years ago for your reserves when he played centre back, he was obviously young compared to most, but I couldn't see all the hype. He looked rash in the challenge, he attempted to play aggressive but just played dumb. Since then, I've watched him rapidly develop into a tidy all round player. He's effective on the ball with decent range in his passing, he has good control, a good engine, great athleticism and looks handy in the final third. He reminds me in many ways of the Man City player - Kompany, who was a similar type of player to Rodwell when he was younger, although he was a better centre back than midfielder, whereas Rodwell seems a better midfielder.

Why are Sky sports comparing the minutes between Walcott and Lennon? Walcott played like 80 minutes, Lennon played about 10 and they are comparing their stats and performance. Extremely strange. I guess they have to make the most of their idiotic Opta stats.

It's quite possible, yeah. I think we will develop a lot more as club over the next five years too, where that will take us who knows but I do think we will be a much better club over that time. Whether we've developed enough to ensure the likes of Rodwell want to stay on longer remains to be seen but it's nice to see him want to sign and admit he didn't want to go anywhere else, he seems to have his head screwed on plus he knows if he develops as he should United and Chelsea will always be knocking on the door.



A cracking post Rob, totally agree. Sums Rodwell's play up for me that. He's developed so much as a player over the 18 months, when he first came on the scene (about when you say you watched him) no one was sure where he would play centre half, defensive mid or attacking mid, since then he's had a go at all three and for me he's a midfield superstar in the making but I do have a feeling Moyes wants to develop him as a centre half unfortunately, I think we would waste a great English midfield talent. He's just as effective as a defensive midfielder as he an attacker, he very rarely wastes a ball. He can win the ball and looks so confortble with it, he can pick out a pass and as you say has a great engine. I'm with you though he seems a much better midfielder than defender I just hope Moyes doesn't try to mould him into a centre half.