Sunderland landed Jack Rodwell for £10 million back in 2014, but unfortunately the deal has not worked out as the supporters would have liked.
Jack Rodwell
When Sunderland landed Jack Rodwell from Manchester City back in August 2014, it appeared that the Black Cats may have possibly pulled off a coup as while he endured a fairly miserable spell at the Etihad Stadium, he had previously looked to be one of the brightest prospects in the country while he was coming through the ranks at Everton.
But unfortunately, Rodwell has arguably become the poster boy for the problems that the club have endured in recent years.
The midfielder has struggled to shake off the image of being injury-prone during his time with the Black Cats, having made no more than 23 league appearances in a single season since making the move.
And he attracted plenty of criticism when it was confirmed by former boss David Moyes – in comments reported by The Sun – that he was the only player in the Sunderland squad who would not see their wages cut following their relegation to the Championship earlier in the year, meaning that he reportedly continues to earn £60,000 a week in the second tier.
Few would say that he has earned such a salary.
Of course, it must also not be forgotten that he took 1370 days and 37 matches to start a Premier League game that Sunderland would go on to win.
When you consider how his time with the club has gone, it is almost sad to look back on the excitement that the Black Cats supporters felt when it was announced three years ago that he had joined the club as you fear that it would take the former England international leaving for Rodwell to attract a similar reaction from the long-suffering fans.
Here is a reminder of the reaction when his arrival was announced…
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