--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be honest, from England Under-16s…" description: "\"To be honest, from England Under-16s, through the 17s and 18s, really all the way through my youth career, I played at centre-half. For some reason, wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/jack-rodwell-10362_career_to-be-honest-from-england-under-16s-thro_2115214.jpg" --- # To be honest, from England Under-16s, through the 17s and… ![“To be honest, from England Under-16s, through the 17s and 18s, really all the way through my youth career, I played at centre-half. For some reason, when I made my debut at Everton, I just played in central midfield, and it went from there.” quote by Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/jack-rodwell-10362_career_to-be-honest-from-england-under-16s-thro_2115214.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/jack-rodwell-10362_career_to-be-honest-from-england-under-16s-thro_2115214.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/jack-rodwell-10362_career_to-be-honest-from-england-under-16s-thro_2115214.jpg) > “To be honest, from England Under-16s, through the 17s and 18s, really all the way through my youth career, I played at centre-half. For some reason, when I made my debut at Everton, I just played in central midfield, and it went from there.” [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes an unexpected shift from defense to midfield that shaped his career path. **In simple terms:** A role change altered his football journey. Key Takeaway Embrace new roles when opportunities arise. Themes adaptability career sports Mood thoughtful determined Type sports career When to use this quote - changing clubs - coach decisions - injury recovery - tactical experiments Key Concepts positioning skill development team dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How did the change affect your confidence? - What can you learn from unexpected opportunities? A Different Perspective New positions may not suit a player’s strengths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/england/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [I played in central defence and at right-back and also in midfield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquinhos/i-played-in-central-defence-and-at-right-back-and-also-in-midfield/) [Marquinhos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquinhos/) > [When I play in central midfield, that's my favourite position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/when-i-play-in-central-midfield-that-s-my-favourite-position/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [I see myself as a mix between number six and number eight in central midfield - this is the best position for me, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkay-gundogan/i-see-myself-as-a-mix-between-number-six-and-number-eight-in-central/) [Ilkay Gundogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkay-gundogan/) > [I've grown up playing in central midfield more, and I think my natural game is about coming inside from wide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/i-ve-grown-up-playing-in-central-midfield-more-and-i-think-my-natural/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [I used to find most joy with those long, bursting runs from your own box where the opposition's central midfield player has to track…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-jenas/i-used-to-find-most-joy-with-those-long-bursting-runs-from-your-own/) [Jermaine Jenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-jenas/) > [Shinji Kagawa is one of the best players in the world, and he now plays 20 minutes at Manchester United - on the left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jurgen-klopp/shinji-kagawa-is-one-of-the-best-players-in-the-world-and-he-now/) [Jurgen Klopp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jurgen-klopp/) > [Growing up I've been playing as an attacking midfielder, more central in the midfield. I wouldn't say if I'm most comfortable there but that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-iwobi/growing-up-i-ve-been-playing-as-an-attacking-midfielder-more-central/) [Alex Iwobi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-iwobi/) > [In the academies, people develop differently, and going into that No 10 role helped me because central midfield was always packed with big, strong boys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-maddison/in-the-academies-people-develop-differently-and-going-into-that-no-10/) [James Maddison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-maddison/) > [Central midfield has been my main position, but I'll play wherever the gaffer wants me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-ramsey/central-midfield-has-been-my-main-position-but-i-ll-play-wherever-the/) [Aaron Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-ramsey/) > [England Under 16, Under 17, Under 18, I played centre-half. But back then, David Moyes thought it was difficult to throw a 16-year-old in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/england-under-16-under-17-under-18-i-played-centre-half-but-back-then/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I've played at centre-half plenty of times before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-ve-played-at-centre-half-plenty-of-times-before/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [When I was younger, I played as a right-back. I also played as a central defender, but I realised that I could dominate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-firmino/when-i-was-younger-i-played-as-a-right-back-i-also-played-as-a/) [Roberto Firmino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-firmino/) > [I played central defender for the most part when I started playing football, either central defence or right-back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-played-central-defender-for-the-most-part-when-i-started-playing/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I've already played as a central striker at Leverkusen, one time or another at Chelsea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kai-havertz/i-ve-already-played-as-a-central-striker-at-leverkusen-one-time-or/) [Kai Havertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kai-havertz/) > [At seven, I played centre-back. When you're so young, though, it's more to enjoy the training and to get a feel for the game.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georginio-wijnaldum/at-seven-i-played-centre-back-when-you-re-so-young-though-it-s-more/) [Georginio Wijnaldum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georginio-wijnaldum/) ## More by Jack Rodwell > [Phil Neville has been great in terms of the pointers he has given me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/phil-neville-has-been-great-in-terms-of-the-pointers-he-has-given-me/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [You always want to test yourself at a high level, and I would be proud to represent Great Britain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/you-always-want-to-test-yourself-at-a-high-level-and-i-would-be-proud/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [England Under 16, Under 17, Under 18, I played centre-half. But back then, David Moyes thought it was difficult to throw a 16-year-old in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/england-under-16-under-17-under-18-i-played-centre-half-but-back-then/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [Throughout their career, the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta have all been taught to a play a certain way. English players have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/throughout-their-career-the-likes-of-xavi-and-andres-iniesta-have-all/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I've not got a bad word to say about City. If they want you and sign you, then they have got intent for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-ve-not-got-a-bad-word-to-say-about-city-if-they-want-you-and-sign/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I got scouted at six by Everton. My parents said it was maybe a bit too young. A year later, I went down to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-got-scouted-at-six-by-everton-my-parents-said-it-was-maybe-a-bit/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I've had my family around me all the time, and that's been a great help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-ve-had-my-family-around-me-all-the-time-and-that-s-been-a-great-help/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I joined Sunderland, a great club, to be successful, to feel at home again. It hasn't worked out, but that's not through lack of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-joined-sunderland-a-great-club-to-be-successful-to-feel-at-home/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [Any player at City is prepared to play anywhere, and I'm no different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/any-player-at-city-is-prepared-to-play-anywhere-and-i-m-no-different/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [In my first season after Mancini signed me, I was injured a lot, but when I was fit, he did play me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/in-my-first-season-after-mancini-signed-me-i-was-injured-a-lot-but/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I have been playing box-to-box more for Everton as a two, so I have felt comfortable in that position, but anywhere across the midfield…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-have-been-playing-box-to-box-more-for-everton-as-a-two-so-i-have/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [What I've been missing in my career is 30 back-to-back games and getting a good run of form and confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/what-i-ve-been-missing-in-my-career-is-30-back-to-back-games-and/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I've been at Man City and won the league. I've played for England. I've had success and good times - just not enough for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-ve-been-at-man-city-and-won-the-league-i-ve-played-for-england-i-ve/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I just want to do the best I can, which means playing for the England full side one day and carry on playing well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-just-want-to-do-the-best-i-can-which-means-playing-for-the-england/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [When you sign for a new club, you just want to play, and when injury stops you, it is frustrating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/when-you-sign-for-a-new-club-you-just-want-to-play-and-when-injury/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) [Explore all 66 Jack Rodwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) ## More Career quotes > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) Alison James > [In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/in-every-province-the-chief-occupations-in-order-of-importance-are/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [There are so many things you can do with your life, you can go to school and study toward your career, you can become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/there-are-so-many-things-you-can-do-with-your-life-you-can-go-to/) [Simphiwe Scientist Dumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/) > [I always knew I wanted to have a good career, so I made it happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chord-overstreet/i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-have-a-good-career-so-i-made-it-happen/) [Chord Overstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chord-overstreet/) > [I am a very big fan of Brian Eno, of his work as an artist and making his music, and as a producer. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rostam-batmanglij/i-am-a-very-big-fan-of-brian-eno-of-his-work-as-an-artist-and-making/) [Rostam Batmanglij](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rostam-batmanglij/) > [If I can beat a proven champion like Canelo, that will take my career to a different level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennady-golovkin/if-i-can-beat-a-proven-champion-like-canelo-that-will-take-my-career/) [Gennady Golovkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennady-golovkin/) > [My non-career. My excuse for a career? Honestly, I never think about the word 'career.' I've had managers, the minute they say it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-verlaine/my-non-career-my-excuse-for-a-career-honestly-i-never-think-about-the/) [Tom Verlaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-verlaine/) > [“The vocation of a man lies in his vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-vocation-of-a-man-lies-in-his-vision/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I started off as a model maker, so the first part of my career was a model maker and then a motion control camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/i-started-off-as-a-model-maker-so-the-first-part-of-my-career-was-a/) [John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/) > [Growing up I did commercials and things like that, but nothing serious. As I got older, my family is really hardcore into academics. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-doubleday/growing-up-i-did-commercials-and-things-like-that-but-nothing-serious/) [Portia Doubleday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-doubleday/) > [You can have a career and kids who love you. But you have to nurture yourself and find a way to be fulfilled so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-reitman/you-can-have-a-career-and-kids-who-love-you-but-you-have-to-nurture/) [Catherine Reitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-reitman/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Even though I'm already successful and have a career, it is always good to have your eggs in more than one basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farrah-abraham/even-though-i-m-already-successful-and-have-a-career-it-is-always/) [Farrah Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farrah-abraham/) [Browse all 11,387 Career quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To be honest, from England Under-16s, through the 17s and 18s, really all the way through my youth career, I played at centre-half. For some reason, when I made my debut at Everton, I just played in central midfield, and it went from there.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jack Rodwell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/to-be-honest-from-england-under-16s-through-the-17s-and-18s-really/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Career" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/to-be-honest-from-england-under-16s-through-the-17s-and-18s-really/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/jack-rodwell-10362_career_to-be-honest-from-england-under-16s-thro_2115214.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/jack-rodwell-10362_career_to-be-honest-from-england-under-16s-thro_2115214.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/jack-rodwell-10362_career_to-be-honest-from-england-under-16s-thro_2115214.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To be honest, from England Under-16s, through the 17s and 18s, really all the way through my youth career, I…” — Jack Rodwell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jack Rodwell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "To be honest, from England Under-16s,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/to-be-honest-from-england-under-16s-through-the-17s-and-18s-really/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/to-be-honest-from-england-under-16s-through-the-17s-and-18s-really/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```