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Opportunity knocks for popular Jagielka
There will be no shortage of support for former Sheffield United defender Phil Jagielka should he make himself a regular for England under Fabio Capello, reports Ian Appleyard.
PHIL JAGIELKA was once described by Neil Warnock as the natural successor to Gary Neville in the England side.
Now, after winning his first call up to the full England squad, the former Sheffield United defender is on the brink of fulfilling that prophecy.
Jagielka, who was sold to Everton for 4m last summer, could make his full England debut in the friendly against USA at Wembley on May 28. Four days later, England play away against Trinidad and Tobago.
Although the Blades are not entitled to any further payments from Everton, the defender's graduation will still be a source of great pride to those who nurtured his talent at Bramall Lane.
The 25-year-old has spent the majority of the season playing at centre-half with Everton but England coach Fabio Capello is well aware of his versatility. Jagielka even played in goal for the Blades -– and not just once – his prowess between the sticks prompting Warnock to abandon the selection of a substitute goalkeeper.
Released by Everton as a youngster, Manchester-born Jagielka was lured across the Pennines by the Blades and spent seven years at the club, rarely missing a game.
He even played in every single minute of his final season with the Blades but, once relegation was confirmed, decided to take advantage of a get-out clause in his contract and return to Goodison Park.
In his final game as a Blades player, Jagielka won his first cap for the England B side in a friendly against Albania at Turf Moor.
His departure had to be delayed last summer by the club's protracted legal battle against the Premier League but, 24 hours after relegation was confirmed by the High Court, Jagielka was allowed to leave.
After a slow start to the season, Jagielka formed an impressive centre-back partnership with Joleon Lescott – whose current unavailability due to a knee injury is another reason for his England inclusion.
With Neville and Micah Richards out injured, the door is open for Jagielka to stake a claim for the England right-back role. Quite clearly, as long as John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are on the scene, the chances of holding onto a centre-back spot are going to be limited.
Everton supporters have warmed to Jagielka, pictured below, whose defensive game mixes strength in the air with composure on the floor.
Having helped the Toffees finish fifth in the table, he also has UEFA Cup football to look forward to next season.
There can be no regrets about his decision to quit the Blades.
A quietly confident individual, Jagielka has always enjoyed a good rapport with both fans and the media who appreciate his honest yet considered approach to the game.
When Arsenal's players refused to shake hands with the Blades after losing at Bramall Lane last season, Jagielka pulled no punches, branding his sour-faced opponents as 'big babies' and even having a pop at foreigners who didn't like the 'nitty-gritty' of the Premier League.
A devoted father-of-two and an angler in his spare time, Jagielka is hardly the type who, if becoming established in the England side, will be captured stumbling out of nightclubs at 2am by the paparazzi.
Such was his ability to impress his previous manager that team-mates jokingly refered to Warnock as Jagielka's 'surrogate dad.'
A 30-yard equaliser in a League Cup tie against Leeds United six years ago is probably the moment that most Blades supporters will always remember with the greatest fondness out of all of Jagielka's 287 appearances that he made for the club.
But there are others that will also stand the test of time; namely his save against Arsenal in the Premier League and his last-minute goal that gave the club its first Premier League victory last season against Middlesbrough.
When he walks out at Wembley in his England shirt, the Blades will be cheering just as loudly as the Everton fans.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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