Phil Jagielka backs England's young lions

World Cup 2014: Phil Jagielka backs England's young lions to be match for the best in Brazil




Everton defender says emergence of a number of talented English players in the Premier League has ended doom and gloom of two years ago and offers promise for future

Phil Jagielka has dismissed claims that English football is struggling to develop young talent, pointing to the emergence of Ross Barkley and adding that Raheem Sterling has enjoyed a better season than Everton’s feted Spaniard Gerard Deulofeu.


As England intensified their World Cup preparations, Jagielka trained at St George’s Park on Tuesday with a collection of youngsters including Barkley, Sterling, Luke Shaw and the two standby players, John Stones and Jon Flanagan.


The presence of so much youthful promise comes at a time when the Football Association chairman, Greg Dyke, has launched a commission into increasing the number of English players in the Premier League.

“Two years ago it was doom and gloom but now you look at the squad we have and it’s strong,” said Jagielka. “We have good young talent coming through. The under-19s had a fantastic game v Scotland , the under-21s are doing well and so are the under-17s [the new European champions].

We could always have more young lads but we could have a lot less.”


Having played alongside Deulofeu at Everton, Jagielka is well placed to assess burgeoning English talent against Spanish.


“Gerry came in and he was quite a selfish player with a tremendous amount of ability and went past people,’’ Jagielka continued. “We are probably taught to be less selfish but technically there is no difference. The ideal comparison is Raheem to Deulofeu and for me Raheem had the best season.


“It is too easy to point the finger when if you take a step back to what we’ve got, we have some tremendously talented individuals.”

Like Barkley, Jagielka knew the Everton attacker was special early.


“From the moment when Ross was about 14,’’ Jagielka continued. “He has a good physique, good in the air, right foot, and more importantly loves the game of football. You cannot get him off the training ground. Everyone is expecting a lot of Ross because of the potential.


“This season has proved how much he has grown mentally. He went through a bad period but the manager stood by him and he came out of it. He’s got the whole package. We don’t want to put too much pressure on him but if you ask people for their opinions of him, they’ll be positive. Although he doesn’t need his feet bringing down to earth as he’s a nice lad, as captain I have to make sure he doesn’t take on any extra pressure.


“As soon as he crosses the line he wants to play football. People compare him to Wayne Rooney. They are not the same players but in terms of mindset, they are the same.”


Talking after training, Jagielka was in upbeat mood, knowing he is established alongside Gary Cahill in the heart of Roy Hodgson’s defence. England have never lost in the 11 matches that Jagielka and Cahill have played together. Of six competitive games, England won five, drew one and conceded only one goal.


So he slightly bridled at suggestions that John Terry should be in the squad. “I can’t say I particularly like to hear it, but I understand why I do. Obviously Gaz and JT play together at Chelsea, they play in the Champions League and were contenders to win the Premier League. As a defender, partnerships are important – if you have two players who work well together they may be a better bet than two superior players – so I can understand why people talk about Terry.


“I was asked the other day that while our attack looks good, would our defence be OK? I felt like laughing. Our defensive record in the qualifiers was pretty decent, but I can’t stop what people are going to ask. I stop, smile and get on with it.’’


Jagielka feels he has improved under Roberto Martínez. “You have to be more comfortable on the ball and it gives you more strings to your bow whether we do that in the World Cup or not,’’ said Jagielka.


He gets on well with Cahill. “We spend a lot of time together and we laugh and joke. He’s a Sheffield lad and I played for Sheffield United so there’s plenty to talk about. We do not have a tremendous amount of caps [Cahill has 22 and Jagielka 24] but they have most been with each other. It is a work in progress.

I am more than happy playing alongside Gaz and obviously I know people like Joe Hart, Bainesy and Glen Johnson.


“I still find it difficult assuming I’m going to play for England, but I’ve played quite a lot in qualifying and have built up a good relationship with Gaz. We haven’t played together for a little while and hopefully these three games will give us the chance to get that relationship going again.’’


As England head into the three friendlies with Peru, Ecuador and Honduras, it seems all very tranquil in the camp with no negative headlines that usually precede tournaments. “We still have a few days until it all starts,’’ laughed Jagielka. “It’s quite a young squad and there are not too many skeletons to come out of the closet.

The bunch itself coasts through.


“We have a great mix of experienced lads who have been playing for England forever it seems and then you have the young lads who have come in and aren’t afraid of anything and want to show you what they have got. The expectations at the moment are quite low but if the results go the way we hope they do those expectations will quickly change and hopefully it will be a special World Cup.


“This time the build-up has been relatively smooth. Slowly but surely the seriousness will creep in. Football is something we’re all supposed to enjoy and love but with what’s on the line it’s hard to go out and start laughing and joking straight away.”


Jagielka went to Euro 2012 but did not play. “I know at 31 I won’t be around for ever and ever and this could be my one tournament. My career path has been slightly different to some of the lads who’ve been involved with England since they were teenagers. It’s my first World Cup, it could be my last, and I’m determined to enjoy it.”