Phil Jones - The Transformation
FourFourTwo looks in-depth at the transformation of Manchester United and England player Phil Jones, who has been in blistering form for his club and country.
Phil Jones, renowned for his face pulling and risky defending, has become Roy Hodgson's starting midfielder throughout the World Cup and the Euro's and is having possibly his greatest ever season in his playing career.
But, how has he suddenly transformed from who preferred to play as a centre back to a midfield who can't stop scoring?
Fixed Position
When Jones signed for Manchester United from Blackburn, he was dubbed to be a future captain of both Manchester United and England respectively, however will all the potential he had, he was unable to live up to it in his early years as he wasn't fixed to one position.
He was played either as a right full back, centre half or in midfield, which also helps his team, it is not good for the player as he can't secure a position as he gets moved around from time-to-time.
Phil Jones has scored one goal in eight appearances for England in midfield, but has been consistent throughout by having an average rating of 7.16.
The emergence of his form has come at this time because from the start of the 2014 World Cup to Euro 2016, Jones has been playing more centrally in a midfield role, which has helped him mature more as a player and secure himself in one position, and Hodgson has allowed Jones to perform constantly as a midfielder which has improved his attributes and mind set going into games.
However for his club he has been playing mostly as a centre half due to the departure of former club captain Nemanja Vidic and the recent retirement of Rio Ferdinand, but this has not affected how he plays for England as he has become a ball playing centre half like Ferdinand was.
Injury-free Season
A key part of football are injuries, almost every play sustains at least one injury in their playing career which can see the player dip in form or struggle to get back to playing like they used to, however for Jones, he's been one of the lucky ones who has currently not picked up any injuries since the start of the World Cup.
With his England team mates such as Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere getting injured, it has allowed the Manchester United player to have more game time in the heart of England's midfield which has allowed him to learn more about that type of role and improve as a player there.
With Jones's performances being very good and consistent in the England midfield, it has forced Hodgson into selecting him more and again it allows Jones to develop more as a midfielder due to being selected more often.
Phil Jones's heat map vs Finland, he mainly defended his back four but pushed up and got his goal.
If Jones stays injury-free throughout the rest of the Euro's, he can become a very good midfield for both England and Manchester United, and he could be the possible replacement of the recently retired Frank Lampard if he continues playing well.
Lethal Touch
Now that Phil Jones is able to push up the pitch, he has more opportunities to score a few more goals than he usually would at centre half or right full back, as he demonstrated against Finland.
Having watched that strike, he clearly showed to us how lethal he can be in these positions and that he wants to incorporate this into his game, as he can advance forward as a midfield and get himself goals if he gets in the right position.
He can become like Frank Lampard as he got a fair few goals in midfield, however Jones isn't a 'proven' goalscorer and will need to work on his finishing if he wants for goals for both his club and country.
Frank Lampard has scored 29 goals in 103 appearances for England, which Phil Jones could still follow.
Roy Hodgson has told us that Jones has been practising scoring goals in training, which gives us the idea that Jones is one of Hodgson's key midfielders which he knows will get goals.
