New Player Review #1 - Phil Jones

Phil Jones - Football365.com

Date of Birth: 21/02/1992 (Age 19)
Place of Birth: Preston
Professional Debut: 22/09/09 (vs Nottingham Forest)
Nationality: English
International Caps: 4 @ U19's
                               9 @ U21's

Joined Manchester United: 01/07/2011
Signed From: Blackburn Rovers FC
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed (estimated 16.5million)
Squad Number: 4
Position: CB/DM


Jones was Utd's first signing of the summer, being announced on the 13th June. I must admit it did seem to come out of nowhere to me but as soon as the news broke I was very please with this capture. Another young, English defender who can grow into a prefect partnership with Chris Smalling (21), both a club and international level throughout their careers over the next 10 or more years.

I am Irish not English, but when Man Utd capture English players it makes me happy because I know that they understand fully that Utd are the biggest club in the world and that we are (probably) the club they dreamed to play for. They will not become want away stars and feel like jumping ship at the first sniff around from Real Madrid or Barcelona ect. a la Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas.

Jones and Smalling Partnership - skysportsnews.com

Jones has had much more premier league experience at Blackburn than Smalling had at Fulham before he joined but I can still see him being used sparingly as Chris was this past season. There is no rush and Jones will not be thrown in the deep end. I may be proved wrong but I can't see Phil being played regularly in the defensive midfield position he played at Blackburn a lot of the time. He will be asked to learn from the experienced defenders already at the club and barring major injuries to Vidic or Ferdinand, will be eased into competitive matches throughout the year.

Rating: Good with potential to be great


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