One For The Future – Defender Phil Jones

Blackburn Rovers latest new star Phil Jones has made a great start to life in the Premier League the 18 year old from Lancashire made his debut in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea and also picked up John Terry’s shirt along the way!

Jones has already been compared to Terry by some critics and could certainly be a future asset for Blackburn Rovers. Jones, who only turned 18 last month, had already impressed in his three cup appearances this season but manager Sam Allardyce stunned everyone when he handed him his Premier League bow against Didier Drogba & co. Other options were available for the final twelve, with the likes of Pascal Chimbonda and Keith Andrews tried and tested at centre back, but Allardyce opted to throw the 18-year-old straight in at the deep end.

“We did some shape work on Thursday and I had a feeling I was playing then,” Jones said. “Obviously there were a few nerves but I was more excited to get out there than have nerves. It is just another game at the end of the day and one in which I knew I had to do well and play well. I think we played well as a team and deserved the point.”

It was a series of three tackles made within a few first half seconds by Jones that changed the mood of Sunday’s clash completely, as the Ewood Park crowd stood as one to roar their approval at the youngster’s desire and hunger for team.
The moment proved a turning point, as players and fans alike increased the intensity, with Rovers suddenly making Chelsea’s afternoon a whole lot less comfortable. He said: “I think the game needed something like that to spice the game up and get the crowd going. If that is what it took then that is what it needed. You have to be aggressive as a centre half but you have to be composed on the ball and I thought we did that very well.”