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Rodwell aiming to emulate Rio
Everton youngster Jack Rodwell swapped shirts with Rio Ferdinand last season and hopes to eventually emulate the Manchester United centre-back.
Rodwell played in a defensive midfield role for England Under-21s against Germany on Monday but has been tipped to drop back into defence, just as Ferdinand did at West Ham at the start of his career.
"I have heard the comparisons," Rodwell said.
"It's brilliant to be compared with such a player as Rio Ferdinand. I try to base it on my own game. I do like to play out from the back, so that's probably why they have played me in midfield because I am comfortable on the ball."
Everton boss David Moyes also played Rodwell mostly in midfield for his 25 appearances last season but it is Ferdinand's current position where the 18-year-old sees his future.
Rodwell faced Ferdinand at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final and exchanged shirts afterwards.
"I tapped him up after the game to make sure I got it," Rodwell said.
"I was on a high anyway because we had won but I went straight over to the United lads because I wanted Rio's shirt. I just asked him and he gave it me so I was buzzing. He took mine as well."
He added: "I have started to play in midfield and I believe that Rio did the same when he was younger and then moved back to centre-half.
"I am not sure what will happen with me but I look up to him."
Rodwell is pushing for a place in Stuart Pearce's starting line-up for the semi-finals after his performance against Germany.
"You just have to take your chance and hopefully I did that," he said.
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Weather for Leeds
Thursday 24 May 2012
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