Premier League: 5 Worst Transfers of 2012

4. Jack Rodwell (Manchester City, £15 million*)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAJIciNHpaE Lovely pass from Rodwell to Reus. I know it's petty, but it does make a point. To be fair, I used to sing his praises more than most while he was at Everton, especially when he hadn't really broken into the first team. However, there's a certain amount of time I can defend someone by saying "they've got potential, wait until next season." There comes a time when you have to admit, yes, they had potential, but it doesn't look like they'll be as good as we thought. In my mind, Rodwell has become one of those players. Having always had injury and fitness problems, which regularly kept him out of the Everton squad for long periods of time, it's also prevented him from maturing through on-the-pitch experience. His performances have never been as good as they should be by now, so when City came knocking over summer with a bid of £15 million, David Moyes must have been laughing as he helped the lad pack his bags. I don't see what he adds to the City squad either. He now fills the De Jong role, which is to be the replacement of Gareth Barry, the world's slowest man. He has looked timid for City, and at times has looked just plain panicked. Hopefully, he will get better, and first-team football in that squad will certainly improve you as a footballer, but it will take time, and that is one thing City players are not allowed, unfortunately. Rating: 3/10 The next Gareth Barry is not a good title. *Transfer free courtesy of Daily Mail
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English undergraduate, betting man and football fanatic with more opinions than Joey Barton. Hails from Manchester-ish. Occasionally blogs at http://rionbarker.wordpress.com/ Football Manager addict, household FIFA champion, and other titles I shouldn't be proud of.