Jack Rodwell has made a habit of breaking records. He was just 15 when he made his first appearance for the Everton reserve team, a year after he was propelled into the Toffees Under-18 team. At the age of 16 years and 284 days he became the youngest every Everton player to appear in European competition.

Most recently Rodwell broke another record, with a brace against Sigma Olomouc, in the Europa League, which meant he established himself as Everton 's youngest scorer in European competition. The England Under-21 international looks set to break a host of records throughout his career having played with an elegance, assurance and composure well beyond his years.

Rodwell made his Premier League debut in March 2008 as a substitute at Sunderland. He followed this up with 19 appearances in the Premier League last season and looks to have established himself as a major part of the Everton midfield in the early stages of the 2009/2010 campaign.

David Moyes has so far almost exclusively played Rodwell in midfield, just in front of the defence, despite the fact that he is a central defender. This has led to the comparisons with Rio Ferdinand who also played in midfield at the beginning of his career.

Undoubtedly this has provided a great grounding for Rodwell. He has looked impressive in the middle of the park where his fantastic all-round ability can shine even against some of the toughest opponents in world football. 

Rodwell is a natural athlete with great athleticism and he showed this with an assured display against Paul Scholes in the FA Cup semi-final last season during the final 50 minutes of the match.  

He is strong in the air and in the tackle, can pass effectively and recently has also shown that he has a strong and effective shot with both feet - the two strikes in the Europa League match came first with the left and then from the right. His two goals against Sigma Olomouc confirmed to many what Everton ians already knew, that Rodwell is the finest talent at Goodison Park since Wayne Rooney.

Throughout his appearances at club level it has been difficult to spot a weakness in Rodwell’s game and the question for Moyes and perhaps even Fabio Capello, is whether the 18-year-old should be reverted back to playing regularly in defence or continue in midfield. 

As a player who is far more experienced than his age would suggest, Rodwell also has leadership experience having captained England’s Under-16 team and Everton ’s Under-18 side.

Rodwell came to prominence at international level at the European Under-21 Championships in Sweden during the summer where he played a starring role, including a headed goal, in a 1-1 draw against Germany in the final group game. So good was his display that many scouts feel Fabio Capello could yet decide to take Rodwell to the World Cup in South Africa.

Everton have struggled to hold on to their very best players in recent years. Wayne Rooney and more recently Joleon Lescott are the best examples of that. Rodwell is contracted to the club until 2013/2014 and despite reported interest from Manchester United is expected to stay at the club where he has been since the age of six.