England manager Fabio Capello's gushing tributes for Phil Jones are too soon but he could be something special
Phil Jones’ performance in Podgorica elicited almost songs of praise from Fabio Capello.
Hot prospect: England's Phil Jones may have struggled against Montenegro but he still has a bright future for the national team Photo: ACTION IMAGES
When Fernando Torres, David Villa and Company visit Wembley on Nov 12, Jones’ potential needs examining in the middle and it certainly will be examined by the world and European champions.
“It will be interesting to see whether Phil Jones can play central defence," observed Capello in welcoming the Manchester United player to the international firmament. “Phil Jones is born to this. Absolutely. Like Jack Wilshere. Talent is talent. You can’t create talent. You are born with talent."
Jones has talent, no doubt, but it needs employing properly. He was not placed on this earth to play right-back, despite filling in there for United, occasionally rampaging upfield, notably against Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea and creating openings for Rooney. Jones was not made to play the holding role, as he did frequently for Blackburn Rovers. He’s a centre-half.
He can be a jack of all trades but it is time Jones was allowed to focus on being a master of one craft, the central-defensive one. With John Terry and Rio Ferdinand advancing through their Thirties, the case for giving Jones more experience in the middle grows with every passing month.
They have a gem to polish. Only 19, Jones possesses a presence approaching aura. The Duncan Edwards’ comparisons are patently premature but Jones could mature into something special. He has strength and athleticism, self-belief and decent technique. The building blocks are all on site, ready for construction into an imposing edifice on the international skyline. Time, thought and a good project manager are all that is required for Jones now. He certainly has one in Sir Alex Ferguson.
Work is needed. Friday night proved that. Stevan Jovetic showed that, twisting Jones this way and that, exposing his inexperience at right-back. Gary Cahill and Gareth Barry bailed Jones out in quick succession midway through the first half. After the break, the international ingénu could easily have given away a penalty when Jovetic, darting through again, was brought down. Capello’s appraisal was too gushing.
Where Jones did particularly impress was in refusing to hide, a quality Ferguson spotted early. He kept looking to make decisive interventions. He kept calling Theo Walcott back to help deal with Jovetic. He kept seeking to get forward. “He did really well," said Terry. “He looks established, as if he has been there for many years. He has looked like that for Manchester United so I wasn’t surprised but to come on to this stage, and a difficult pitch as well, and difficult surroundings, I felt he dealt with it extremely well."
Further positive testimony was provided by Cahill, who operated immediately to Jones’ left. “He bombed on when he could and defensively he was sound,’" said the Bolton centre-half.
“It was difficult circumstances to get his first cap. Let’s be fair, it was a big game and the conditions weren’t the greatest. It was hard for him to come in but I thought he held his own and did really well.’’ Cahill has started England’s last three games but appreciates the threat emanating from Old Trafford.
“The way Manchester United are going is terrific and they [Jones and Chris Smalling] are part of that so it is always going to be hard for me," said Cahill. “I’m going to be looking over my shoulder.”
Fair point. If Capello harbours any doubt about Cahill’s ability to face the very best or ponders whether Ferdinand is ready or right to return, Jones offers a superb alternative. So does Smalling. Terry noted the emergence of such new talent with appreciation, happy to see youth given its chance (and also knowing he is safe in the starting XI as Capello’s captain).
“Definitely," added Terry of the new generation forcing their way into the squad. “It gives everyone encouragement, not only the ones in it like Jones and [Danny] Welbeck but the ones just below them, the likes of [Daniel] Sturridge. They believe they can make a real push for this European Championship squad as well."
England can call on other centre-halves, notably Joleon Lescott, who has done well for Manchester City until being inexplicably omitted against Bayern Munich by Roberto Mancini, who brought in the rusty Kolo Toure.
Lescott was then overlooked for this England squad and could be forgiven for wondering what he’s done wrong. He’s rarely played better. Phil Jagielka is another option, although the memory remains of Spain’s David Villa leading him a merry dance in Seville. Michael Dawson will inevitably be considered by Capello.
For all the understandable focus on problems elsewhere, whether Rooney’s indiscipline or the usual inability to keep the ball, questions will be thrown at an England defence that conceded a two-goal lead for the first time since September 2004.
Having let in only five goals during the eight qualifiers (the same as Montenegro), England have been generally sound defensively but clearly need greater drilling before the five, possibly six friendlies that provide pre-Euro audition time.
If Jones is caught out against Spain’s stealthy attackers, Capello must grant him another chance, and another one. Another feted prospect, Tony Adams, recovered from his chastening encounter with Marco van Basten at Euro 88 to become a colossus for country as well as club.
One final consideration. As Capello contemplates his 23 for the Euros, he knows he needs good tourists as well as good players. Camaraderie is crucial within the camp. Jones is a popular character, quickly embedded in the United group and friendly with others from under-19 and under-21 service. He impressed the England management with his conduct at last summer’s Under-21 Euros in Denmark, dealing professionally with all the speculation about his future, and focusing on putting in some acclaimed shifts — at centre-back. His natural habitat.
Work is needed. Friday night proved that. Stevan Jovetic showed that, twisting Jones this way and that, exposing his inexperience at right-back. Gary Cahill and Gareth Barry bailed Jones out in quick succession midway through the first half. After the break, the international ingénu could easily have given away a penalty when Jovetic, darting through again, was brought down. Capello’s appraisal was too gushing.
Where Jones did particularly impress was in refusing to hide, a quality Ferguson spotted early. He kept looking to make decisive interventions. He kept calling Theo Walcott back to help deal with Jovetic. He kept seeking to get forward. “He did really well," said Terry. “He looks established, as if he has been there for many years. He has looked like that for Manchester United so I wasn’t surprised but to come on to this stage, and a difficult pitch as well, and difficult surroundings, I felt he dealt with it extremely well."
Further positive testimony was provided by Cahill, who operated immediately to Jones’ left. “He bombed on when he could and defensively he was sound,’" said the Bolton centre-half.
“It was difficult circumstances to get his first cap. Let’s be fair, it was a big game and the conditions weren’t the greatest. It was hard for him to come in but I thought he held his own and did really well.’’ Cahill has started England’s last three games but appreciates the threat emanating from Old Trafford.
“The way Manchester United are going is terrific and they [Jones and Chris Smalling] are part of that so it is always going to be hard for me," said Cahill. “I’m going to be looking over my shoulder.”
Fair point. If Capello harbours any doubt about Cahill’s ability to face the very best or ponders whether Ferdinand is ready or right to return, Jones offers a superb alternative. So does Smalling. Terry noted the emergence of such new talent with appreciation, happy to see youth given its chance (and also knowing he is safe in the starting XI as Capello’s captain).
“Definitely," added Terry of the new generation forcing their way into the squad. “It gives everyone encouragement, not only the ones in it like Jones and [Danny] Welbeck but the ones just below them, the likes of [Daniel] Sturridge. They believe they can make a real push for this European Championship squad as well."
England can call on other centre-halves, notably Joleon Lescott, who has done well for Manchester City until being inexplicably omitted against Bayern Munich by Roberto Mancini, who brought in the rusty Kolo Toure.
Lescott was then overlooked for this England squad and could be forgiven for wondering what he’s done wrong. He’s rarely played better. Phil Jagielka is another option, although the memory remains of Spain’s David Villa leading him a merry dance in Seville. Michael Dawson will inevitably be considered by Capello.
For all the understandable focus on problems elsewhere, whether Rooney’s indiscipline or the usual inability to keep the ball, questions will be thrown at an England defence that conceded a two-goal lead for the first time since September 2004.
Having let in only five goals during the eight qualifiers (the same as Montenegro), England have been generally sound defensively but clearly need greater drilling before the five, possibly six friendlies that provide pre-Euro audition time.
If Jones is caught out against Spain’s stealthy attackers, Capello must grant him another chance, and another one. Another feted prospect, Tony Adams, recovered from his chastening encounter with Marco van Basten at Euro 88 to become a colossus for country as well as club.
One final consideration. As Capello contemplates his 23 for the Euros, he knows he needs good tourists as well as good players. Camaraderie is crucial within the camp. Jones is a popular character, quickly embedded in the United group and friendly with others from under-19 and under-21 service. He impressed the England management with his conduct at last summer’s Under-21 Euros in Denmark, dealing professionally with all the speculation about his future, and focusing on putting in some acclaimed shifts — at centre-back. His natural habitat.
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