ALEX FERGUSON FAMOUSLY tipped Phil Jones to eclipse the likes of Bobby Charlton, George Best, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Cristiano Ronaldo and become Manchester United’s “best ever player” two years ago.
The English defender, a £16 million signing from Blackburn Rovers in 2011, began his career at the club promisingly but endured a tough patch while being played in a number of different positions before showing encouraging signs again under Louis van Gaal this season.
However, it will still come as a shock to most to learn that, according to new research from the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), Jones ranks as the top U23 central defender in European football.
The study looks at a series of key performance indicators (KPIs) which include shooting, distribution, rigour, recovery, take-on, and chance creation and breaks players up into five outfield positions — Centre backs, full-backs, defensive midfielders, attacking midfielders and forwards.
To be eligible, players must have featured in at least 50% of their club’s game minutes since the start of the season.
And, surprisingly, Jones beats the likes of the supremely-talented Raphael Varane (Real Madrid and France), Marquinhos (PSG and Brazil), Stefan de Vrij (Lazio and Netherlands) and Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid and Uruguay).
Elsewhere Italy’s Marco Verratti (PSG) edges out France international Paul Pogba (Juventus) to the top spot in midfield, while Neymar (Barcelona and Brazil) is pipped by in-form compatriot Felipe Anderson (Lazio and Brazil) in the forwards.
Other Premier League stars who feature are Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool and Brazil), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool and England), Ross Barkley (Everton and England), Christian Eriksen (Spurs and Denmark), Calum Chambers (Arsenal and England), Erik Lamela (Spurs and Argentina) and Harry Kane (Spurs and England).
Anyone else think the squad should go over there, play fringe players and treat it as a training exercise, get a few days in the sun for first team regulars and come back to the league a little fresher with a top up tan,,it’s happened before you know….
@Devilsavocado: 100% agree. Bring back kenny dalglish and graeme souness for a round around, nonsense cup.
@Devilsavocado: as a utd fan i was delighted wen they won it. Only 2 games. Won’t do any harm
@Devilsavocado: absolutely agree
@my name: Liverpool are absolutely flying it unfortunately,these two games are where they could pick up stupid injuries but knowing Klopp they’ll win it and win the league by about 20 points
@John Connolly: you can pick up stupid injuries at home too John. There’s no point in looking at games like that. Injuries happen in training, in games it’s part of the game. As Pool fans are often reminded there’s nothing won yet and it on to the next one
Ps: nice to see you’re thawing out a bit though. Happy Christmas
A lot of these players become more important the less available they are
No doubt will milk it if they win it and laugh it off if they don’t!
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/elusive-trophy-how-liverpools-greatest-team-failed-rule-world-84
@Herby Shearer: yeah but you have to be in it to win Herb!! Champions of Europe and top of the league
@Herby Shearer: which would be the right way to treat it I’d have thought?