It wasn’t that long ago we all thought Jack Rodwell would become a top-class player both in the Premier League and for the England national team.The Southport-born midfielder appeared to possess all the tools required to become a huge star when he burst onto the scene with Everton during the 2008-09 campaign.Phil Jagielka tipped Rodwell to mature into a Steven Gerrard-style attack midfielder in March 2010 and the majority of football fans would have concurred with that assessment. He looked the real deal.Fast-forward eight years, however, and you could be forgiven if you didn’t know where Rodwell is these days - or whether he’s even got a club.It seems a lifetime ago since Rodwell left Everton for Manchester City in a deal worth £12 million back in August 2012.After failing to make an impact at the Etihad Stadium, the midfielder moved to Sunderland, who forked out £10 million for services and agreed to pay him around £70,000 a week, in 2014.Four years later and Rodwell is still at the Stadium of Light. But what’s currently happening there is nothing short of ridiculous.

Rodwell rejected contract termination

It was reported in January that Sunderland had terminated the 27-year-old’s contract, only for it to emerge days later that Rodwell refused to give his permission, despite admitting he wanted a new challenge.

"This is my hardest spell here but there would be no use in me slacking off or huffing, I need to use this time to get ready for whatever is next. That excites me," he told Sky Sports.

"I haven't put in a transfer request but I understand the club's stance and their position and, because of that, I understand it's beneficial for everyone if I move on. "But it's not the fault of any footballer if a club decides to pay you a certain amount."

Sunderland’s attempts to finally get Rodwell off their wage bill had failed. They were even prepared to offer him a lump sum, according to the Chronicle, in order to move him on to a Dutch club in January.

What's happening now is ridiculous

The one-time England international has only played in two league matches for the Black Cats all season and last made an appearance back in September.

He has one year left to run on his current contract and is still earning a whopping £3.8 million a year - or £73,000 a week.

That figure, however, will be slashed to just under £2.3 million a year (£42,000 a week) this summer, whether Sunderland are playing in the Championship or League One next season.

Still, £42,000-a-week is an astronomical sum of money for an ostracised player - especially for a club competing in the third tier of English football.

Sunderland are likely to be relegated from the Championship over the coming weeks, having sealed just 33 points from 42 matches.

But finding a club willing to match Rodwell’s new £42,000-a-week wage this summer could prove nigh-on impossible, especially given the player’s injury record.

That means they could be stuck with him until the summer of 2019, even though there’s very little chance that he’ll play for the club again.

To make matters worse, Sunderland fans are also sick and tired of him rinsing money from the club.

What a sorry situation for all concerned.