Why studious Jack Rodwell believes Sheffield United is his ideal footballing home

But as the rain pounded down and another bank of angry clouds gathered ominously on the horizon, Jack Rodwell admitted to being in his element. The drills Chris Wilder had just overseen focused exclusively on shape. Which, for a self-confessed student of the game, made it the perfect training session.

“Yeah, I do like watching and studying,” Rodwell told The Star once Wilder had called a halt and performed a quick pitch side debrief. “It’s something I’ve always done, taking different bits from different players, and trying to apply them. I really enjoy that aspect and, if you want to improve, it’s important to analyse what the best in the business are doing.”

Signed in January on a short term contract and used only sporadically during the second half of last term, some supporters might have been surprised to see Rodwell join Wilder’s squad in Scotland after agreeing a 12 month extension. But listening to the 29-year-old speak following Thursday’s work-out, staged in the shadow of the giant curved steel structure which dominates the £33m complex on the outskirts of Edinburgh, it quickly became apparent why Wilder wanted him to stick around. Rodwell’s pedigree has never been in question, having represented England during spells with Everton and Manchester City. Although a tumultuous spell with Sunderland caused some damage to his reputation, Wilder’s suspicions that Rodwell’s wage made him a convenient scapegoat for those looking to deflect some of the blame for the Wearside club’s demise appeared to be borne-out during a revealing and, at times, brutally honest conversation on the capital city’s green belt.

Rodwell, who appeared destined for Roma before arriving in South Yorkshire, cut a serious but amiable figure after conducting his first major interviews since being unveiled by United - a far cry from the mercenary he has been painted as in some quarters. He spoke about the past, referencing some of the figures responsible for inspiring him to initially turn professional. But insisting the “unique way” his latest club play should suit him down to the ground, Rodwell’s focus was firmly on the future, detailing how he hopes to become an integral part of Wilder’s plans over the next 12 months - when the deal he signed before heading north of the border is scheduled to expire.

“Rio Ferdinand, he was who I used to model myself on,” Rodwell admitted, before outlining why, after a brief spell with Blackburn Rovers, he believes he has now found his ideal footballing home. “I was always a centre-half then, and he was my favourite of all time because his style was my style. Rio pioneered the way people thought about the position - bringing the ball out from the back."

“In a sense, because I can play anywhere across there and also midfield, the way the manager here sets his teams up, I reckon it’s just right for me. I suppose if you came up with the ideal system for how I am, this is it. A fresh season brings fresh opportunities and now I’ve got to set my sights on getting in the team on a regular basis.”

Doing that, as United challenged for Europe only a year after being promoted before eventually petering out following the Covid-19 pandemic, proved almost impossible for Rodwell last season.

“Obviously everyone wants to play,” he said. “But I looked at what the lads were doing, how they were playing so well, and knew I could hardly complan."

Still, having spent the beginning of the campaign at Trigoria - Roma’s recently modernised training base - rubbing shoulders with the likes of Javier Pastore, Leonardo Spinazzola and Chris Smalling, Rodwell was desperate to put some of the knowledge he had acquired during his time in Italy to good use. The emphasis Serie A places on strategies and technique should have made it the perfect destination for someone obsessed by detail and tactical intricacies. Although he acknowledged it was a disappointment when the proposed move fell through, leaving him without a club after leaving Ewood Park earlier that year, Rodwell insisted the Giallorossi’s failure to take up their option proved to be a blessing in disguise.

“It was close to being a done deal. But when Sheffield United came knocking, it was a no-brainer for me,” Rodwell said. “I’d been training with Roma and Parma were interested too. But I always wanted to be back in the Premier League.”

“It’s becoming a bit more fashionable now, for English players to go abroad, and I think that’s a good thing,” he continued. “Chris Smalling has been out there, at Roma, as well and it’s good to learn different ways of going about football.

“To be honest, though, it was a relief when United came in for me."

After eventually finishing ninth - the three month break in competition robbing them of the momentum they had built up before the coronavirus outbreak made staging matches unsafe - United began overhauling the options at Wilder’s disposal when first Wes Foderingham and then Aaron Ramsdale were lured to Bramall Lane. Rhian Brewster, Matty Cash and John Swift could soon follow but United reassured Rodwell, at the beginning of the rebuilding process, that his services would be required.

“I spoke with the manager at the back end of last season and he told me then he wanted to renew,” he said. “That was good to hear because I want that continuity. The manager knows me, I know him so it’s a good relationship.”

An important message: Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.