Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Jack Rodwell has advised the best English kids not to sign for Manchester City.

The Sunderland midfielder says the pick of the nation’s talent should head to clubs where they will get games.

Rodwell has moved to the Stadium of Light for £10million after quitting City to reignite his stalled career.

Asked his advice to teenagers courted by City, Rodwell declared: “I would ­probably say don’t sign now, I’d say get as much football as you can.

"The first thing I’d ask is, ‘how good are you?’ You just never know – you could go there, do really well and be winning league titles and everything.

“But just because you’re English and young it doesn’t mean you’re not going to play for Manchester City.

“I would just say weigh up your options and ask yourself if you want to be playing regularly.”

Rodwell is the latest England star to go backwards at the champions, who face Arsenal in the Community Shield tomorrow.

Winger Adam Johnson, who also moved to Sunderland from City, was previously critical of the chances he got at the Etihad Stadium.