10 Biggest Dodged Bullets In Chelsea Transfer History

5. Jack Rodwell

Jack Rodwell was considered one of the brightest lights of the Everton academy in his day, a powerful attacking midfielder with good technique and the ability to drive his team forwards in the manner of Steven Gerrard. David Moyes guided his progress carefully, making sure not to give him more games than his developing body could handle. Big things were expected, with the inevitable whispers out of Goodison Park labelling him a future England captain. Despite Moyes' attempts to keep his development under the radar, a storming goal against Manchester United in 2010 exploded him into the sights of every major scout in the league. Whispers became shouts and the player was linked with big money moves to Chelsea and United the following summer. The dirty little secret around Everton, though, was that for all Rodwell's immense talent, his injury record was becoming a matter of increasing concern. His hamstrings in particular were proving a repeated problem and when Man City finally signed the young Englishman in 2012, Everton fans were sorry to see him go but not entirely optimistic that his body was up to the strain of regular football. Sadly for him, he never got the chance to find out as he barely got off the bench for his entire City career, ultimately making only 16 league appearances in two years before signing last summer for Sunderland. Injuries continued to blight him throughout his time in Manchester and while he's still young enough to make good on his potential, Chelsea will probably be grateful for their reticence in making a bid for a player who has spent more time with the club doctors than the pitch in recent years.