Rodwell hunger can keep City at top table
25 Feb 2013 12:39
A hungry and impressive performance from Jack Rodwell against Chelsea was a refreshing sight among a galaxy of established stars.
Traditional City big guns Joe Hart, Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez grabbed the headlines after the win over Chelsea - but a more important performance in terms of City's long-term future came in the form of Jack Rodwell.
The rangy midfielder, who turns 22 in a couple of weeks, put in an eager and promising display on his comeback from hamstring trouble.
Drive is not something you'd necessarily associate with Rodwell's style but he looked hungry, bursting forward whenever he could, and was City's most dangerous presence at corners.
In possession he was calm, winning and using the ball wisely and dominating the midfield aerial battle. City were not all over Chelsea but they were certainly on top in midfield against strong operators Frank Lampard, Eden Hazard and John Obi Mikel.
Great credit should go to Rodwell for his part in that and fans on our website agreed, marking him at 90 per cent for his performance on our player rater.
But it is not so much this particular performance that bodes well for City.
It is the fact that in a galaxy of stellar Blues talent, Rodwell's star is one of the few on the rise.
David Silva was in superb form against Chelsea, his every pass curling into space so the recipient didn't have to break stride.
But it is probably fair to say that at 27, Silva is operating at the top of his game.
Yaya Toure (29) and Carlos Tevez (29) fall into the same bracket, while although Joe Hart is young for a goalkeeper at 26, you feel he is mature beyond his years. Mancini is repeatedly on at his goalkeeper to improve - he was at it again in the post-match press conference - but really I don't think many Blues would complain if Hart maintained his current level for the next decade.
What was almost tangible in Rodwell's performance was his desire to prove himself to the near 48,000 fans packed into the ground.
It is that willingness to strive, the mindset that searches out the extra per cent, that will keep City at football's top table.
That is what Sir Alex Ferguson does so well at United. The likes of Rafael, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and Jonny Evans are all hungry, improving players.
That is the path City need to find if they are to prosper in the long term.
Rodwell can lead them there, even if he himself doesn't turn out to be a world beater. What he represents is more important.
There are others at the Etihad with promise. I'd be surprised if 19-year-old Matija Nastasic's pulse rate has risen above 100 beats per minute despite the Premier League cauldron and he can only get better.
But it's fair to say City's success relies on established stars.
City fans have been spoilt over the past few years with a remarkable level of performance from their side.
At times the football produced has been bettered only by the great Barcelona - even if European success has eluded them for now.
But it is unreasonable to expect that all the time. And supporters appreciate young players who clearly want to play for the club and push themselves onto new heights.
Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain continue their plans for summer recruitment and there has already been talk of moves for Napoli superstar Edinson Cavani, Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Colombian goal machine Radamel Falcao.
That's all well and good, but the boardroom duo would do well to search out players who are yet to show what they can do. Then they can try their hearts out for the Blues faithful and drive a new footballing dynasty in Manchester.
Which players should City be going for? Have your say.
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