Everton boss David Moyes sees Jack Rodwell's long-term future in midfield.
Rodwell broke into the Everton first team as a centre-half.
But Moyes says: "I think in time he will develop into a really good defensive midfield player.
"He didn't have an easy route at Everton last season. He had to compete with Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini to get in the side and then when he played, the team weren't playing well, which made it difficult. Younger players are going to be up and down. It happened with Wayne (Rooney) as well, the season we sold him (to Manchester United, I don't think he actually played that well.
"When the team are in good form, it's easy for the young boys to go with it. But at times they need the senior players to help them. Jack will come again, I saw signs of it towards the end of the season. He's going to be a player."
