18 Jun 2013 15:33:41
Does anyone else see Phil jones playing midfield next year? Every time I see him there it's like watching a young Roy keane, and who know with a bit of work on his finishing he could be our box to box midfielder, I think jones sitting deep with thiago further forward would be a great pairing! Your thoughts guys?

1.) 18 Jun 2013
At this point in time he is not technically gifted enough with the ball at feet to play in a modern midfield IMO. His passing/control will need to improve unless he just sits behind 2 more technical CM'ers.

Personally I'm still hoping he is the long term replacement for Vidic as I think he could make a real quality combative CB in the future.

I'm sure some will disagree with me though.

HB

2.) 18 Jun 2013
18 Jun 2013 16:12:22
Hey guys,

Can anyone point to the negatives for pushing the boat out for both Isco and Thiago. I feel there's a reason why City and RM are both trying to get their services. Isco, Thiago and Kagawa as an attacking midfield with Carrick sitting behind them would be very interesting. Thoughts gents?

3.) 18 Jun 2013
Im not sure he is technically good enough to be a regular cm. He can certainly do a job there against certain opposition but I think long term he will be a cb.
I do think he needs to be played more consistently in one position regardless of what position moyes has in mind for him or I dnt think he will reach his full potential IMO

BABY FACED ASSASIN

4.) 18 Jun 2013
18 Jun 2013 16:21:14
Personally I see him playing in midfield next season so that he can improve his ability with the ball and his positioning. I think he'll play games as an achoring midfielder offering a defensive shield infront of the defence in some games.

But I think long term he'll drop back into defence in a season or two's time once Rio and Vidic have moved on.

5.) 18 Jun 2013
18 Jun 2013 16:43:54
Gary, Thiago is an achieveable target as he has a fixed fee. But Isco would be a bidding war. And with Real Madrid and City interested we would sadly lose. If Isco wants to stay in Spain then he'll choose Madrid, if he wants money and the chance to work with his old boss he'll choose City. He is so good he'll be first choice where ever he goes so he doesn't have to worry about that. Unfortunately there isn't an angle for us to work with him that can't be bettered by City or RM. So on this occasion we will have to accept that he is beyond our reach. But there are other options available to us if we want.

6.) 18 Jun 2013
A first team of DeGea, Rafael, Garay, Vidic, Shaw, Carrick, Strootman, Isco Kagawa, Thiago, RVP would be very very good in my eyes, shame we have no chance of Isco.

Brendan81

7.) 18 Jun 2013
18 Jun 2013 17:14:02
He's far too good to be wasted at centre back. People seem to think he'll make a good Vidic/ Terry type throw themselves at anything defender when that type is dying out. He'd be best played in a midfield three.

8.) 18 Jun 2013
All you Strootman fans must be wondering what's going on when his agent pleading for a move to England
Not the sort of thing that would be happening if a deal is already in place with us!
Dylan

9.) 18 Jun 2013
"Pleading"? Dylan you do talk some guff.

TK-Red

10.) 18 Jun 2013
I'm a bit bored with the endless debates about technique for midfield players. Yaya's technique has some big flaws in it but he's an excellent midfielder because he can destroy opposition moves and he has huge drive and energy. Khedira's technique has improved over the last two years but still isn't a patch on some.

For me, Jones' drive and commitment demands a midfield position. He pushes games forward and that is what midfielders are meant to do. He also does a very good job of getting into the box. His technique needs some work, but it isn't a million miles away from being good enough for the sort of role he would play in midfield.

He would be a superb engine-room for the likes of Kagawa and Thiago to play in front of.

11.) 18 Jun 2013
Personally I agree Jones isn't technically gifted as a central midfielder, but as another poster said does he have to be? I think in some games he looks excellent there, mainly ones where we are playing really good opposition and he does an almost man for man job on them. Other games he looks a bit lost when seeing the ball in crowded areas. I think he can be a world class centre back, not sure about a world class central midfielder but he can certainly be very effective there in the right type of game.
Invisible stuey

12.) 18 Jun 2013
DarkLard08

I totally disagree with your opinion of Yaya's technique. I think he is a top all rounder, some of his long balls and through balls are sublime and he scores technically proficient goals at vital times.

Jones doesn't have these abilities yet although he does have time to learn obviously. Like I said above though, I see him at CB in the long term - maybe a fill-in DM at times in the mean time (like big CL games) but hopefully only with 2 better 'footballers' alongside him.