That deal doesn't happen without Oles approval. It was one of his first decisions.
Contract extension was the most baffling decision ever, even for our standards. Should have left years ago.
Only in midfield when tasked with nullifying other players (for example against Real Madrid in 2013). He was okay in right-back and a total disaster as CB.I might be in the minority here who really thought that when he was got and in form, Jones played at a very high level for us.
Of course the issue is his injury record, I wonder how much his recklessness led to some of those injuries. Injuries are usually the result of bad luck, but in the case of Jones I suspect he sabotaged himself with reckless.
Would be good for all involved. What a waste.
A change of scenery might do him good.
More than that I'd imagine. He's on £5m a year and I cannot see him giving up much of that.It'll probably end with him leaving on free and us paying some percentage (like 30% or so) of his wages, where ever he goes.
Best of luck to him. A run of fitness could see him having an Indian summer to his career in the same way that Evans has had. He’s a great footballer.
How does a club even decide whether or not he's worth going for?
Alex Ferguson played him every game he was fit, and compared him to Duncan Edwards.I still remembered him breaking through as a hot prospect at Blackburn, that sparked interest from Liverpool which prompted Sir Alex to quickly move to bring him over. I still remembered being ecstatic at him signing for us, much like me being excited by us signing any young players with great potential.
Sir Alex Ferguson gushing over him as the "next Duncan Edwards" may be over-hyping, but you can absolutely see where he was coming come. Phil Jones brought energy, enthusiasm and no shortage of abilities in CD, RB or even DM role which was asked of him. I still remembered that match v.s Real where he was being tasked with shackling Ronaldo, who is very much in his pomp, whilst still playing whatever his position required. He was relentless. I recalled thinking what a player we have on our hands.
Too bad his injuries did him in, and his meme-able face made him the butt of jokes. I think it is no accident that consecutive managers such as LvG or Mourinho, who are great managers in their own right and has worked with plenty of great players before, still see the player in him underneath his disastrous injury record and ok-ed the contract extension.
I'm hoping he is doing his UEFA Coaching license - he along with De Gea are not what we need in the team right now but they present our last playing (ironic) connection to the success of Sir Alex's era. He might still be able to play a Paul McShane role as some sort of coaching/"playing" position within the club on reduced salary.
Alex Ferguson played him every game he was fit, and compared him to Duncan Edwards.
Fabio Capello played him regularly for England, and compared him to Franco Baresi.
Jose Mourinho played him every game he was fit as well.
Basically, the three managers who built Europe's three best defences before the current Atletico Madrid backline (United 2007-2013, AC Milan 1991-1996 and Chelsea 2004-2007) all loved Phil Jones. He was a top player who got ruined by injuries.
He wasn't talented though.He was talented and had a few good years. The reason our stupid fans seem to hate him is a few reasons.
1 He is not as good as Rio and Vidic thus compared with our best defenders ever since he took over from them. All our defender suffer the same faith to a degree. but with Maguire it is mostly his high cost that we attack.
2 He is injured a lot.
3 He played under our worst managers and poor periods so they blame him for Moyes and LVG being shit etc.
4 he got a funny face at times which they see as him being poor.
5 the unlucky own goals, but yes also that he made a few errors though when in poor form.
The thing though is he was regular under some of our best defensive periods and periods with best results.
He had many top quality games as well.
The injuries ruined him though and I doubt he gets over them. Never rule it out in another club though.
What a great moderator you are. Calling people a prick because you are touchy about Phil Jones. Sort your life out mate.Yeah money = happiness right? Somebody should tell all those well-off people who committed suicide. Prick.
He wasn't talented though.
What a great moderator you are. Calling people a prick because you are touchy about Phil Jones. Sort your life out mate.
That’s still not a licence to call someone a prick though is it? I’ve no idea who the poster is.I’m touchy about people’s dangerous attitude to mental health actually mate and that specific poster has a track record of toxicity in threads. He has also had 4 previous warnings for poor quality/inflammatory posting.
Excuse me whilst I sort my entire life out because I *checks notes* called someone a name on a forum.
That’s still not a licence to call someone a prick though is it? I’ve no idea who the poster is.
That’s still not a licence to call someone a prick though is it? I’ve no idea who the poster is.
Knock yourself out mate. Fill your boots.I’m not a mod. Can I call him a prick?
Nope. What do you think he was good at? Talented in what way?You started watching football in 2015 or something?
He was actually very talented and a young player. People base him on the last 4-5 years of being mostly injured, you go further back and there was a promising player in Jones.He wasn't talented though.
