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Two years ago Sir Alex Ferguson watched a young Blackburn Rovers defender constantly frustrate his teams efforts in the penalty area. As the match progressed this youngster showed maturity way beyond his teenage years and Sir Alex knew he had found a boy with the potential to become a world class player. In June he brought him to Old Trafford for a fee of around 16 million, the boys name was Philip Anthony Jones.
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Jones has always gained critical acclaim for his performance as a centre-back and demonstrated astonishing skill in the match against Chelsea in 2010, completely shutting out the Chelsea forwards. The 21-year-old made the right decision when he joined United, who have always put immense faith in their youth players, and is sure to be turned into a top class defender. Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton compared Phil Jones to the great Duncan Edwards who tragically lost his life in the Munich Disaster on 21st February 1958. Phil Jones was also born on the 21st of February and may be compared to a phoenix which has risen from Edwards’s ashes and looks hell bent on honoring his name.
The Preston born lad is extremely versatile and can operate in the midfield without a hitch. Sir Alex’s successor David Moyes is already impressed with Jones, who has been paired with Jonny Evans to great success. The combination of Jones and Evans is destined for great things and is a perfect replacement for the evergreen partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. So far Jones has been used sparingly by Moyes, which is the right call, as any injury as such a young age could affect the player in the future.
The England international has already been capped 8 times for his country at the highest level and is without doubt the most talented defender among the upcoming Three Lions. John Terry will certainly be emulated by Phil Jones, who has greater technical ability and much more versatility. He has the leadership abilities of a veteran and it will be no surprise to see Jones captain his club and country in the future. Phil Jones is like a well made wine, which will only get better with age. The lad has barely stepped out of his teens and has plenty of years more to prove his greatness. Manchester United have a jewel in their ranks in the form of Phil Jones.
