[Archived] Phil Jones

[Hughesy]

They are an outside bet for the title, IMO, not that anyone has said that Liverpool will win the title next season.

Liverpool are an outside bet?? They are as likely to win it as QPR!

[Baz]

Cos he's from Preston?

He's from Leyland - subtle difference.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Surely you mean a week, he will be at least on £100k per month at Rovers !!

my bad.

[Stuart]

He's from Leyland - subtle difference.

Very subtle. You should update his wiki for him.

[roversmum]

He's from Leyland - subtle difference.

Has lived in Clayton Le Woods for a few years now ...

[laughatthedingles]

Interesting take on Jones' future:

Clicky Clicky

Described by his current manager as a 'Rolls Royce of a player', making national headlines after winning Man Of The Match in his first ever league game, scouted by Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City and England. Philip Anthony Jones certainly has had a meteoric rise to fame. This summer will pose many questions for the man leading England U21's charge for success in Denmark, his ability as an outstanding footballer is not one of them however.

Should Blackburn decide to sell him Jones will undoubtably have his pick of teams to join, the fee will no doubt be between fifteen to twenty million pounds and most will be willing to pay it. Jones should ensure that his maturity on the field is matched off it and he makes the biggest decision of his life to date, a correct one.

Arsenal have been admirers for the longest, ever since Wenger's scouts were watching another Blackburn fixture to weigh up whether Steven N'Zonzi was good enough for them yet. What they weren't expecting however was that he would be upstaged by an eighteen year old from Chorley. Whilst N'Zonzi's career has stalled a little due mainly to injuries, Jones' has soared to new heights and when the bidding begins, Wenger will be well and truly in it.

King Kenny returned to Anfield with a masterplan, to make Liverpool hungry once again and build his team around youngsters and locals, from January onwards, Spearing, Flanaghan, Kelly and company have completed stage one, now for outside assistance and step up Jordan Henderson and Phil Jones. The Liverpool way is returning as is the confidence at Anfield and King Kenny will want to land his man as he sees him as a key part of his revolution.

Whether it's Sheikh Mansour, Roberto Mancini, David Platt, Garry Cook or another figure having their say at Manchester City, Phil Jones is on their list and they have the clout to land their man. Keen to now lay the foundations for long term success they are looking at buying fewer but better, Jones is undoubtably on their radar, even if it is to simply avoid their rivals gaining ground.

Young English prospects come to the fore and so do Tottenham Hotspur, they simply can't help themselves but try to land every England U21 player they feel is a star in the making, Redknapp has built his team around them and will want Jones to be a big part of that.

Chelsea were his first opponents and in John Terry have the man Jones is compared to the most. They do not have a manager however and so questions have to be raised about who is behind their bid for Jones, could it be that Terry's words of encouragement for the young centre half have been heard in Russia? Maybe they are simply confident enough in their scouting network, what is for sure is they want Jones and like City are more than capable to get what they want.

So Jones has his choice of teams but for all their successes and relative appeal, they all indeed have their faults. Liverpool are a long way from challenging for a title and Arsenal have won less than Birmingham City recently. Manchester City have a long line of players signed by everyone other than the manager and languishing on wages too big for anyone else with not very many appearances to go with their big wallet. Chelsea have an aging squad and as previously mentioned no manager, so who is to say the man coming in will want Jones? They also have an owner who seemingly can't make his mind up whether he wants to pay for more success or not. Then there is the team from White Hart Lane, good enough for the Champions League? Not on last seasons evidence and there is a big question mark about whether they have the funds to close that gap.

All in all Jones has a tough decision but the correct one is to simply remain at Ewood Park until Sir Alex comes calling. If he joins any of the afore mentioned he will never be allowed to move to Old Trafford and could quite possibly end up in the reserves due to a change of manager and/or trophyless for his entire career. Staying at Ewood his talent will only increase and at United he would have the perfect opportunity to harness that further. Ferdinand is perennially injured and Jones is far ahead of Evans and Smalling's ability levels. If the phone call doesn't come this summer he should remain at Rovers and continue to enjoy the success he has so far, it will arrive soon enough however and that is the one Jones should then accept.

[Mattyblue]

That blog is pretty much bang on. Bloody depressing though ain't it. We are just a feeder club, oil billions aside the status quo will never end.

[JAL]

So young Phil Jones doesnt rate or like Stephen Kean as a manager. For a fan and player to come out with such statements and over 80% on here wanting Kean out you've got to agree with Jonesy boy.

KEAN OUT asap!

[laughatthedingles]

So young Phil Jones doesnt rate or like Stephen Kean as a manager. For a fan and player to come out with such statements and over 80% on here wanting Kean out you've got to agree with Jonesy boy.

KEAN OUT asap!

Where has he said this?

[Pete1981]

So young Phil Jones doesnt rate or like Stephen Kean as a manager. For a fan and player to come out with such statements and over 80% on here wanting Kean out you've got to agree with Jonesy boy.

KEAN OUT asap!

If this is true wouldn't it be easier if the players inform Venkys of this then hopefully Venkys would listen and Kean would be gone

[Tom]

He hasnt publically but Jal will jump on any rumour as true to slate the manager some more. Pretty poor really

[G Somerset Rover]

Just about to watch the under 21s and can't believe that Mancienne is captain. He's gash, surely Jones would be a much better option.

[Commondore]

I'd be hugely disappointed in Jones if he decided he wants to leave this window. I'm not living in a dream world, with or without Venkys money Rovers pretty much have to sell someone when the likes of Liverpool and United comes sniffing around with enough intensity and loyalty from both players and clubs are non existent these days, but consider the fact that Jones has yet to play one full season for the club who nurtured him, gave him his debut in the PL and let him settle into the team at his own pace. I have no problem in principle with Jones wanting to leave for a bigger club, but I don't think he's paid his dues at Rovers yet.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

So young Phil Jones doesnt rate or like Stephen Kean as a manager. For a fan and player to come out with such statements and over 80% on here wanting Kean out you've got to agree with Jonesy boy.

KEAN OUT asap!

Even by your chronically poor standards that post beggars belief. There are undiscovered single cell organisms lurking fathoms down in the depths of the deepest oceans that have more brain power than you.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

That blog is pretty much bang on. Bloody depressing though ain't it. We are just a feeder club, oil billions aside the status quo will never end.

It is very depressing Matty and reality hits home hard that any potential talent we produce will be ripped away from the club asap.In the cold light of day we can offer these plyers very little (well,maybe a relegation scrap ) compared to the top five or so in this league.

I want all our better players to stay but if THEY want away then I feel we are powerless apart from making sure we screw the interested clubs for every penny they have.Its a sad situation but sod them if they dont want to be here at Ewood, sod 'em all!

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

I'd be hugely disappointed in Jones if he decided he wants to leave this window. I'm not living in a dream world, with or without Venkys money Rovers pretty much have to sell someone when the likes of Liverpool and United comes sniffing around with enough intensity and loyalty from both players and clubs are non existent these days, but consider the fact that Jones has yet to play one full season for the club who nurtured him, gave him his debut in the PL and let him settle into the team at his own pace. I have no problem in principle with Jones wanting to leave for a bigger club, but I don't think he's paid his dues at Rovers yet.

Pretty much how most feel Commondore,no loyalty.Like I say above.....sod 'em all!

[RibbleValleyRover]

For those who are watching the Under-21 game how has Phil played?

[JAL]

Where has he said this?

Its what hes allegedly said in private which is what i'm going with.

[cn174]

For those who are watching the Under-21 game how has Phil played?

He did good - he didn't have a great deal to do to be honest, but whenever he was needed he was there to put a foot in. Just come off for Tomkins.

[Exiled_Rover]

Problem is that isn't your call, it's the decision of the people who have a financial stake in the club and to them I imagine £15m would be attractive maybe even £10m.

They're going to lose a lot of money on season tickets if they sell Jones. People simply won't renew unless the new owners show their hand.

[philipl]

With the shambles at the club at present, the prospect of keeping Phil is very remote indeed.

Kenny Dalglish is likely to trigger the bidding war.

Heart breaking.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

He's sadly too good for us, or any club our size. Hopefully we push for 25m or more.

[Mattyblue]

He's sadly too good for us, or any club our size. Hopefully we push for 25m or more.

Too good for us? Says who?

Not wanting to go all Vinjay, but christ what a defeatist attitude that is! The lads 19 for crying out loud, are we getting into a situation in this country that EVERY potential England player MUST be signed for the 'big' clubs?

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

He's Champions League quality, we aren't.

[jim mk2]

Are we getting into a situation in this country that EVERY potential England player MUST be signed for the 'big' clubs?

Yes, unfortunately, as long as we have the wretched Champions League in which all the top players want to play.