Phil Jones
Jones playing for Manchester United in 2015
Personal information
Full name Philip Anthony Jones[1]
Date of birth (1992-02-21) 21 February 1992[2]
Place of birth Preston, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3]
Position(s) Defender, defensive midfielder
Youth career
Ribble Wanderers
2002–2009 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Blackburn Rovers 35 (0)
2011–2023 Manchester United 169 (2)
International career
2009–2010 England U19 4 (0)
2010–2011 England U21 9 (0)
2011–2018 England 27 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:09, 2 July 2023 (UTC)

Philip Anthony Jones (born 21 February 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender. He is currently a free agent.

The last Premier League club he played for was Manchester United. Before joining Manchester United, Jones played for Blackburn Rovers at both youth and senior levels. Although primarily a centre-back, he has also been used as a right-back or defensive midfielder.

Jones has represented England at various levels. He played for the under-19 team in 2009 before making his debut for the under-21 team in 2010. He made his debut for the England senior team in 2011, and represented his country at UEFA Euro 2012, and the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups.

Early life

Jones was born in Preston, Lancashire,[4] and grew up in nearby Clayton-le-Woods.[5] He attended Balshaw's CE High School in Leyland,[6] and played for the Ribble Wanderers under-10 team.[7]

Club career

Blackburn Rovers

Jones joined the Blackburn Rovers youth team in 2002.[8] He then joined the senior team for the 2009–10 Premier League season, signing a two-year professional contract.[9] He made his first-team debut for Blackburn after starting the League Cup match against Nottingham Forest on 22 September 2009, in which Blackburn won 1–0.[10] Then in February 2010, he signed a new five-year contract that included a £16 million release clause.[11] Jones made his first Premier League start for Blackburn against Chelsea on 21 March, just a month after turning 18.[12] He was widely praised for his committed and assured performance at centre-back, making several crucial blocks and interceptions as Rovers held the champions to a 1–1 draw at Ewood Park.[12] In the 2009–10 season, he made nine league appearances, and three cup appearances.[13]

The 2010–11 season started in promising fashion with Jones starting in the opening match of the campaign against Everton, and subsequently playing the majority of the club's matches in the first half of the season, albeit in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role. A torn knee cartilage injury in a match against West Ham United in December, threatened to rule him out for the remainder of the season. However, on 19 March 2011, he made his return from injury against Blackpool at Ewood Park coming on as a second-half substitute for Brett Emerton in a 2–2 draw.[14] On 2 April 2011, Jones started a first-team match for the first time in four months against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 draw.[15] Despite his injury, he played 26 league matches, and two cup matches for Blackburn that season.[16]

Manchester United

Jones playing for Manchester United in 2011

At the end of the 2010–11 season, Manchester United were reportedly interested in signing Jones. Alex Ferguson was apparently impressed with Jones' commitment and leadership skills at centre-back when Blackburn held United to a 1–1 draw on the day United clinched the title. On 13 June 2011, United confirmed that they had reached an agreement to sign Jones on a five-year deal for an undisclosed transfer fee believed to be at least £16.5 million;[17] the deal would be finalised upon his return from international duty.[18] He made his debut for the club on the 2011 pre-season tour to the United States, in United's 3–1 victory over Chicago Fire.[19]

Jones made his competitive debut for United as a second-half substitute, replacing Rio Ferdinand in the 2011 FA Community Shield against rivals Manchester City. United were 2–0 behind, but won 3–2.[20] Jones made his league debut a week later, again as a substitute replacing Ferdinand, as United beat West Bromwich Albion 2–1 on the opening weekend.[21] On 10 September, Jones provided two assists for Wayne Rooney in United's 5–0 thumping of Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.[22] Jones started the away match to Liverpool as a box-to-box midfielder, different from his usual centre-back and full-back positions he was accustomed to.[23] Jones scored his first ever senior goal on 3 December in a 1–0 away win against Aston Villa.[24] Jones scored a consolation goal against Basel in a 2–1 Champions League defeat that resulted in United being knocked out of the competition, heading in a loose ball after Federico Macheda's shot had come back off the bar.[25] On 21 December, he suffered a facial injury in an away match against Fulham, however the X-ray showed no serious damage and Jones returned to action in the 3–2 defeat against Blackburn on 31 December.

After suffering a back problem and having a knee operation which kept him out for the start of the 2012–13 season, Jones made his first appearance in an away match against Galatasaray in the Champions League on 20 November.[26] He scored his first goal of the 2013–14 season on 29 October in a 4–0 win against Norwich City in the League Cup.[27] On 10 December, he scored the only goal of the match in a 1–0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk in the final group-stage match of the Champions League, ensuring United finished top of the group.[28]

On 1 July 2015, Jones signed a new four-year contract with United.[29] On 8 February 2019, he signed a new contract until 2023.[30] On 9 February, Jones assisted Anthony Martial in a 3–0 win over Fulham, his first goal involvement since 2014.[31] On 26 January 2020, he scored in a 6–0 FA Cup win against Tranmere Rovers; it was his first goal for United since March 2014.[32] He then spent 20 months injured, finally returning to training and playing with the reserves in September 2021.[33] In September 2021, Jones opened up on his injury problems, stating "I think as a footballer, as a person, as a human being, that's the lowest I probably ever felt in my life".[34] Following an injury to Harry Maguire, coupled with existing injuries to Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelöf, Jones made his return to first team action in a 1–0 home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 3 January 2022, his first appearance in nearly two years.[35] Jones last appearance for the club came when he was substituted on in a 3–0 home win against Brentford on 2 May 2022. Following the appointment of Erik ten Hag, Jones wasn't included in United's 25 man squad for the 2022–23 season;[36] injury resulted in Jones missing the entirety of the season.[37]

On 15 May 2023, United announced that, after a 12-year stint at Old Trafford, Jones would be released by the club at the end of the season.[38] Later that year, in September, he became involved in United's youth teams training sessions at Carrington,[39] as he then announced plans to take courses to earn his coaching badges.[40]

International career

Jones playing for England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Jones made his debut for the England under-19 team in the 3–1 win over Turkey on 17 November 2009.[41] He appeared a further three times for the under-19s.[41] On 4 August 2010, Jones was called up to the England under-21 squad. On 10 August, Jones won his first under-21 cap, starting for England against Uzbekistan. He was substituted in the 46th minute and was replaced by Liverpool's Martin Kelly.[42] He was selected for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Denmark and was made captain by manager Stuart Pearce for the final group stage match against the Czech Republic.[43]

On 5 August 2011, he was called up to the England senior team for the friendly against the Netherlands by Fabio Capello,[44] but did not end up playing as the match was cancelled four days later by the Football Association after riots in London.[45] On 7 October 2011, Jones made his debut for the England senior team in a 2–2 draw against Montenegro in UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying. After the match, Capello said Jones was "born with talent", and praised his performance.[46] Jones was named in England's UEFA Euro 2012 squad by Capello's replacement Roy Hodgson. However, he did not make an appearance during the tournament.[47]

On 12 May 2014, Jones was named in England's 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[48] Due to a shoulder injury, Hodgson took uncapped defender John Stones as standby for Jones,[49] but he recovered before 2 June deadline. With England's elimination likely, Jones was given a tournament debut as a starter in the final group match, helping the team to a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw with Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte.[50]

He was named in the 23-man England national team squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[51] He played two matches, both against Belgium (in the group stage and third place play-off), and both ended in defeat.[52][53]

Style of play

Jones playing for Manchester United in 2015

Known for his physical power and build, Jones has been called a "jack of all trades" for his ability to play at centre-back, right-back or as a defensive midfielder.[54] Despite the suggestion that his best position is centre-back, he often fills in at right-back.[55] With his stocky build, opposition players have found it hard to bully Jones off the ball or out-muscle him.[56][57]

Former Manchester United player Bobby Charlton has said that Jones evoked memories of the late Duncan Edwards, "If you talk to Bobby Charlton", says Pat Crerand, Charlton's teammate in United's 1967–68 European Cup-winning team, "Phil Jones reminds him of Duncan Edwards with his power and build."[58]

In 2011, England manager Fabio Capello compared Jones to former A.C. Milan and Italy captain Franco Baresi, and former Real Madrid and Spain captain Fernando Hierro.[59]

In 2013, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson offered perhaps the most glowing endorsement of Jones' abilities, saying "The way he is looking, he could be our best ever player. He may be one of the best players we have ever had, no matter where we play him. At 21 years of age, he is going to be a phenomenal player. He can play anywhere on the pitch. He has such a massive influence, with his instinct and reading of the game."[60]

Later assessments of Jones' style were less flattering, with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane deeming Jones "not good at defending or [a] good defender".[61] Jones was described by The Athletic as "someone who has become a running joke for football's LOL generation".[62] In 2019, reflecting on Ferguson's 2013 endorsement of Jones, i noted that "in more than six years Jones has produced more internet memes, as he falls flat on his face or it contorts in an impossible expression, than convincing performances in a Manchester United shirt", while suggesting Ferguson's comments "could well be the biggest error of judgement he ever made in his career".[63]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 2 May 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Blackburn Rovers 2009–10[13] Premier League 901020——120
2010–11[16] Premier League 2600020——280
Total 3501040——400
Manchester United 2011–12[64] Premier League 29110109[lower-alpha 1]11[lower-alpha 2]0412
2012–13[65] Premier League 17040003[lower-alpha 3]0—240
2013–14[66] Premier League 26100418[lower-alpha 3]11[lower-alpha 2]0393
2014–15[67] Premier League 2202000——240
2015–16[68] Premier League 10000102[lower-alpha 3]0—130
2016–17[69] Premier League 18020303[lower-alpha 4]000260
2017–18[70] Premier League 23020000000250
2018–19[71] Premier League 18020103[lower-alpha 3]0—240
2019–20[72] Premier League 2011203[lower-alpha 4]0—81
2020–21[73] Premier League 00000000—00
2021–22[74] Premier League 40100000—50
2022–23[75] Premier League 00000000—00
Total 1692151121312202296
Career total 2042161161312202696
  1. ↑ Six appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. 1 2 Appearance in FA Community Shield
  3. 1 2 3 4 Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. 1 2 Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[76]
National teamYearAppsGoals
England 201130
201220
201340
201440
201570
201600
201740
201830
Total270

Honours

Manchester United

References

  1. ↑ "Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists". Premier League. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  2. ↑ "Phil Jones: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "P. Jones: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "Phil Jones". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "Multi-million pound teen". Leyland Guardian. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Balshaw's C.E. High School, Leyland". Balshaw's CE High School. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  7. ↑ "The 'humble young lad' who grew up to be a football star". Lancashire Evening Post. Preston. 15 June 2011. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "Manchester United secure deal for Blackburn's Phil Jones". BBC Sport. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  9. ↑ "Jones signs 2-year deal at Rovers". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 4 September 2009. Archived from the original on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
  10. ↑ "Nottm Forest 0–1 Blackburn". BBC Sport. 22 September 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  11. ↑ "Manchester United set to complete £16m deal for Blackburn's Phil Jones". The Guardian. London. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  12. 1 2 Ashenden, Mark (21 March 2010). "Blackburn 1–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
  13. 1 2 "Games played by Phil Jones in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  14. ↑ "Hoilett heroics rescue Rovers". Sky Sports. 19 March 2011.
  15. ↑ "Blackburn defender Phil Jones faces lengthy absence". BBC Sport. 21 December 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  16. 1 2 "Games played by Phil Jones in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  17. ↑ Smith, Rory (14 June 2011). "Manchester United celebrate Phil Jones transfer triumph but Blackburn claim to have secured inflated fee". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  18. ↑ Bostock, Adam (13 June 2011). "United seal Jones deal". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  19. ↑ Coppack, Nick (23 July 2011). "Chicago Fire 1 United 3". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  20. 1 2 Bevan, Chris (7 August 2011). "Manchester City 2–3 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013.
  21. ↑ Chowdhury, Saj (14 August 2011). "West Brom 1–2 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  22. ↑ Da Silva, Michael (10 September 2011). "Bolton 0–5 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  23. ↑ "Jones surprised by midfield role". Sky Sports. 16 October 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
  24. ↑ "Aston Villa 0–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  25. ↑ Ornstein, David (7 December 2011). "FC Basel 2 Man Utd 1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  26. ↑ "Defender Phil Jones delighted to be back in action for Manchester United". Sky Sports. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  27. ↑ "Manchester United 4–0 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  28. ↑ "Manchester United 1–0 Shakhtar Donetsk". BBC Sport. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  29. ↑ "Phil Jones signs new Manchester United contract until 2019". BBC Sport. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  30. ↑ "Phil Jones: Man Utd defender signs new contract until 2023". BBC Sport. 8 February 2019.
  31. ↑ "Fulham 0–3 Manchester United". BBC Sport. 9 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  32. ↑ Stone, Simon (26 January 2020). "Tranmere 0–6 Manchester United: Reds' fans voice anger during FA Cup win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  33. ↑ "Jones: I see the light at the end of the tunnel". www.manutd.com.
  34. ↑ "Phil Jones: Manchester United defender opens up on injury hell". Sky Sports. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  35. ↑ "Manchester United 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 3 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  36. ↑ Polden, Jake (13 September 2022). "Erik ten Hag axes Phil Jones from Man Utd Premier League squad as six signings included". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  37. ↑ Luckhurst, Samuel (28 January 2023). "Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gives update on Phil Jones". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  38. ↑ Luckhurst, Samuel (15 May 2023). "Manchester United set to release five players". Manchester Evening News.
  39. ↑ "Phil Jones returns to Manchester United's training ground after leaving club on free transfer this summer". talkSPORT. 6 September 2023.
  40. ↑ "Phil Jones confirms new plans after leaving Manchester United in summer". talkSPORT. 26 September 2023.
  41. 1 2 "Phil Jones". The Football Association. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  42. ↑ Bradbury, Jamie (10 August 2010). "Rose and Kelly on the mark". The Football Association. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  43. ↑ Tongue, Steve (21 June 2011). "England Under-21s lack character and creativity". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  44. ↑ Austin, Simon (5 August 2011). "Man Utd defender Phil Jones included in England squad". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  45. ↑ "England match against the Netherlands off after riots". BBC Sport. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  46. ↑ Winter, Henry (8 October 2011). "Capello praises United's Phil Jones". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  47. ↑ Ostlere, Lawrence (14 July 2018). "World Cup 2018: Phil Jones is running out of time to shake his tag as England's dead-rubber specialist". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  48. ↑ "World Cup 2014: England name Ross Barkley in squad". BBC Sport. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  49. ↑ Orr, James (12 May 2014). "England World Cup squad announcement: 'John Stones will replace Phil Jones if he is not fit by 2 June,' say Roy Hodgson". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  50. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (24 June 2014). "England end disappointing World Cup with barren draw against Costa Rica". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  51. ↑ "England World Cup squad: Trent Alexander-Arnold in 23-man squad". BBC Sport. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  52. ↑ McNulty, Phil (28 June 2018). "World Cup 2018: England lose 1-0 to Belgium in final group game". BBC Sport.
  53. ↑ McNulty, Phil (14 July 2018). "World Cup 2018: England finish fourth after Belgium defeat". BBC Sport.
  54. ↑ Okwonga, Musa (30 January 2015). "Phil Jones' new deal at Man United proves Louis van Gaal's faith in him". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017.
  55. ↑ Hubbard, Norman (21 March 2012). "Jack of all trades, master of none". ESPN. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  56. ↑ "Phil Jones nullified Everton's main threat, says Robbie Savage". BBC Sport. 10 February 2013.
  57. ↑ "Real Madrid v Manchester United: Phil Jones and Jonny Evans back in training boosting Alex Ferguson's options". The Daily Telegraph. London. 12 February 2013. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  58. ↑ "Manchester United's Phil Jones: it's flattering to be compared with Duncan Edwards". The Daily Telegraph. London. 1 October 2011. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  59. ↑ "England manager Fabio Capello says Phil Jones reminds him of Franco Baresi and Fernando Hierro". The Daily Telegraph. London. 17 November 2011. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  60. ↑ Campbell, Paul (23 April 2013). "Will Phil Jones become a Manchester United great?". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  61. ↑ Lewis, Daniel. "Roy Keane: 'Danny Rose, Phil Jones are not good defenders'". Sportsmole.co.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  62. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (27 November 2019). "We need to talk about Phil Jones". The Athletic. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  63. ↑ Cunningham, Sam (24 November 2019). "Phil Jones' recurrent meme calamities are milestones for Manchester United's contorted decline". i. London. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  64. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  65. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  66. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  67. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  68. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  69. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  70. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  71. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  72. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  73. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  74. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  75. ↑ "Games played by Phil Jones in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  76. ↑ "Jones, Phil". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  77. ↑ "Phil Jones: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  78. ↑ McNulty, Phil (21 May 2016). "Crystal Palace 1–2 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  79. ↑ Rostance, Tom (11 August 2013). "Man Utd 2–0 Wigan". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016.
  80. ↑ McNulty, Phil (24 May 2017). "Ajax 0–2 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
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