How One Transfer Led to Sunderland's Downfall to League One

Jack Rodwell was a hyped up player who played in teams like Everton and Manchester city before joining Sunderland. He idolized players like Ronaldo and Alan Shearer but mostly played centerback and cdm drawing comparisons to Rio Ferdinand. When he joined Sunderland he quickly became the highest paid player on the team but failed to live up to the expectations as Sunderland tumbled down to league one from the premier league. Unfortunately for Rodwell, the hit Netflix series "Sunderland Till I Die" captured his time which did him no favors in earning credit with the public.

[@davidmiddleton6479]

Nah you can’t put that on him. They were relegated because they were run terribly. He was scapegoated by a team that was in complete free fall.

[@tendeitem]

I consider Jack Rodwell as a legend. He took Sunderland from the Premier League to League One in a space of a couple years, whilst bleeding Sunderland dry. ⚫⚪

[@ahha6304]

I read this with a sound of red Strat of Mark Knopfler playing in my head immediately

[@adriancimpoi8765]

Listen, 70K is more than what the average Thomas is making (by a mile), so I understand going full Winston Bogarde on your contract! And second of all, to blame a single field player for back-to-back relegations in a team sport means that you're looking for someone to blame or you don't know anything about the game. TO BE CLEAR: I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT JAYSE AND THIS VIDEO!

[@mikeyoc24]

Also to add to this point when Sunderland signed rodwell in 2014 it happened after 2 seasons fighting relegation and just surviving so you would think Sunderland should have had the competence to include a relegation clause. To me you can’t solely blame rodwell but rather the incompetence and instability of Sunderland at the time both at board level and managerial level.

[@connorpowell8159]

How can anyone be worried about money when you've been paid 70k a week for the last 2 years

[@Jayse23]

he probably got used to the salary so anything under would feel "below" him

[@CimbomFanFiction]

I think he was afraid that this would be his last real paycheck playing soccer. He knew better than anyone that he was straight terrible and the stats couldnt fool anyone anymore. And injuries. I wouldve done the same got my money and found a new career. Wonder wut hes doin in 2024

[@CimbomFanFiction]

Great content keep goin

[@Garettteh]

I dont mind taking 0.5% of his wage