According to the Chronicle, Newcastle United are ready to launch a January move for Phil Jones after the defender was left out of Manchester United’s 25-man Premier League squad.
Linked with a move during the transfer window, the fact the England international has been omitted at Old Trafford speaks to how far he is down the pecking order, potentially making an advance welcome. Still, it’s hard to see exactly what the Magpies would be getting here.
The Athletic recently suggested manager Steve Bruce would like to sign a faster centre-half and one capable of bringing the ball out from the back. While an established Premier League player, Jones doesn’t offer much in the way of either.
While during his last season of regular action (2017/18 making 23 appearances) he did average more passes than both Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez last season (47.1 to 35.3 and 34.7 respectively), United do generally have far more of the ball than the Toon Army. Indeed, despite having more possession, he made the same amount of key passes per game (0.1) than the two Newcastle players in question and fewer long balls than the Argentine.
Should Newcastle sign Phil Jones?
Yes
No
At 28 and with a history of injury problems behind him too, his pace and mobility has been questioned by Red Devil supporters who’ve watched him fall down the pecking order over the last few years.
So, it’s really hard to imagine what Newcastle would be getting as he simply wouldn’t provide the two things they are reportedly looking for.