World Cup 22: While never having the chance to take part at a FIFA Men’s World Cup, Sydney FC defender and former England international Jack Rodwell understands the pressure and excitement that comes with donning Three Lions on the shirt.
November 12, 2011. Fabio Capello’s England take on reigning world champions Spain at a packed Wembley Stadium in what was your customary international friendly.
The Three Lions, who were given little hope leading in against the a full-strength Spain, caused an incredible upset thanks to a Frank Lampard header.
While the 1-0 result isn’t one that is cemented in the annals of English football history and of significance in the grand scheme of wins – it was especially memorable for one of the players who took the field that night.
In the 56th minute, with his side defending a one-goal lead, Capello wanted to change things up in midfield and looked to his bench.
Among his options was veteran Gareth Barry and a spritely up and comer, who had been heralded as a major part of England’s future going forward.
That youngster was none other than Everton up-start Jack Rodwell.
Both of their numbers were called and the rest was history. Rodwell had lived out the boyhood dream of millions across the country. He was officially a senior England international.
“That was an unbelievable experience for me,” Rodwell tells KEEPUP about his England debut, with the nation set to continue their Qatar 2022 campaign against United States of America in Group B on Saturday (6AM AEDT).
“It was every English boy’s dream come true, really. That was just an amazing experience.”
He won positive reviews for his second-half cameo, with BBC’s Phil McNulty detailing in his post-game blog:
“Rodwell now looks more capable of fulfilling that promise, and although definitive judgements must never be made on the evidence of 33 minutes in a friendly, he has put himself firmly in Capello’s thoughts and will get other opportunities.”
The then 20-year-old Rodwell would go on and start in their 1-0 victory over Sweden a few days later where he impressed enormously, but unfortunately, this was where the injury problems began.
From then on, he only featured five more times for the Toffees that season, with six seperate hamstring injuries and niggles ending any hope had of featuring at Euro 2012 or for Team Great Britain’s side at the London Olympics.
After moving to Manchester City, he would pull on an England jersey one more time in a 2-2 draw with Brazil in 2013, but the injuries followed him to the Etihad Stadium and each setback which followed along the journey meant Rodwell would never reach his full potential.
Despite never having the chance to represent his country on the biggest stage of a FIFA Men’s World Cup, Rodwell, now a Sydney FC player, can still empathise with the pressure and excitement that comes with representing one of the world’s biggest footballing nations.
“The pressure of representing the national team is obviously a great thing,” he said.
“I was at Everton at the time so just representing my boyhood club… putting the shirt on there was a big, big burden for me as an Everton fan as well but obviously England is another level.
“You want to do your country proud. It’s the country you’re born in, all your family and friends look up to you and it’s pressure but it’s exciting as well. It’s hard to describe.”
And although opportunities at senior level were scarce for one reason or another, Rodwell had plenty of success for the nation at a junior level, representing England right through from Under-16s to U21s.
“My memories of representing England probably start when I was a 15-year-old actually,” Rodwell said.
“So when you’re a youngster in England you get called up to a Victory Shield tournament, which is England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
“Obviously, all the best players from each team get the opportunity to represent England and you have to meet up for a week training camp and then from that, he then selects a squad to play for the England Under 16s.
“That was probably my first memory. I managed to captain that team as well. We ended up winning the Victory Shield.”
Rodwell will sit from afar as England take the field at yet another a major tournament, watching former youth team-mate Jordan Henderson among many other former colleagues take the field.
Heading into Qatar, the weight of expectation on Gareth Southgate’s side is monstrous, especially after a semi-final exit in the 2018 World Cup and falling agonisingly short of winning the Euros on home soil last July.
Rodwell, however, is confident in the current group of players and remains optimistic about their chances at the upcoming World Cup, where England will also meet Wales (November 30).
“It was disappointing not winning the Euros but I feel like there were a lot of positives to take from that,” he said.
“The team performed really well. Positive signs of building a young core that the manager has got there and I feel like it’s just onwards and upwards with that squad. I feel confident going into this summer really.
“I feel like England will go well… it’s just about getting off to a good, positive start and building that momentum like last time.”
