The Scouting Report - Phil Jones

Assessment of technical aspects during the games against the Chicago Fire and MLS All-Star teams

Player facts.

Born: 21.2.1992 (Preston, Lancashire)

Positions: Central defender, full back and defensive midfielder.

Sir Alex Ferguson on Jones: "We first identified the player when he played for Blackburn's youth team against us a couple of seasons ago when they beat us 3-0. He was absolutely magnificent. You might think he might not play, but the ability he's got and the determination he's got, he could quite easily play. He's the future obviously, but he could certainly come in right away (Manutd.com)."

I decided to follow Phil Jones during the pre-season games against Chicago Fire and the MLS All-Stars and was impressed by his overall talent. I will try to give a better explanation of what I mean by this in my post. I would also like to add that Jones is most definitely a player that in the future will challenge for a spot in the first team, maybe even this year. The stat-zones that I've used for this post are based on the following scheme:

Offensive principles

1. Offence

A) Support.

During the games against Chicago and MLS, Jones showed good co-operation with the nearest players to his position. He did, for example, give the other central back a decent passing option by dropping deep or moving out wide when playing right back.

B) Width.

I saw Jones use the full width of the pitch when it comes to moving without the ball. I noticed him plenty of times falling deep or moving wide to create space in either direction. He doesn't make that many moves before he gets the ball, but that could really be a result of him being a defensive player and therefore hasn't developed that pattern of movement.  One could also add that Jones didn't (in the two games that I followed) use the whole pitch for passing. This is certainly showed by statistics from the two games. The first picture below to the left shows his passes against Chicago Fire, with many of them being hit to United midfielders behind the opposition strikers. The same pattern continued during the game against the MLS All-Stars, seen in the picture to the right.

Picture below: Jones played right back for 62 minutes against Chicago and completed most of his passing in zones 5 and 6. Notable is the fact that he only played three passes in zone 9, while playing on the flank for a majority of minutes. Comparing his games as full back to that of Patrice Evra's would probably show two different types of players when it comes attacking. I decided to delete the unsuccessful passes from the diagram below, as there weren't almost any of them in these two matches.

C) Penetration.

Phil Jones isn't a player that concentrates on getting passes behind the opposition defense, not even as wingback. This can be seen from the picture above as most of his passes were between 0-10 meters. Of course his role as centre back doesn't really allow him to hit many penetrative passes behind the defensive line. Still he played a couple of passes behind the opponents first and second line of ball pressure.

F) Improvisation.

Not really one known for showing off flashy and making unexpected moves. On the other Phil Jones is a player that focuses on moving the ball simply, with speed and accuracy.

G) Mobility.

Jones didn't show many examples of making moves before receiving the ball. He did however contribute by offering teammates in possession a deep or wide option.

H) Technique.

Jones showed a positive first touch and clear intentions of passing the ball forward with his second. Didn't show many examples of running with the ball, as he prefers to move it with one or two touches.

2. Offensive transition

A) Transition passing.

As centre back Jones won't find himself in many counter attacking situations. Still he will make large contributions by e.g. transition movement. As the goalkeeper saves or collects a cross from the flank, it could prove important that defenders make themselves available for short opening passes and thereby creating another passing route for attacking players creating space by movement.

B) Transition movement.

Not a player that during these two matches contributed by making himself playable in transition. Jones was quite often in the position of marking an attacker when the transition started.

3. Defensive transition

A) Pressing in offensive zone.

When applying pressure in the offensive zone a team strives to win the ball as close to the opponent's goal as possible. This is based on the fact that the player pressured will have fewer useful or intelligent moves open to him. Therefore, any dribbling will become risky and something to be avoided. The player being put under pressure will avoid losing the ball, rather than set up attacking plays.

As a centre back, Jones won't do much pressing in the offensive zone. Still this phase of the game could be something to follow when he plays in midfield or as a full back. He did show good quality when contrasting (=moving in on the player in possession) the ball in both the offensive and defensive press zone. Showed on several occasions ability to cover deep passing options and did cut players options off by applying pressure in a certain direction. Below is a picture to clarify the defensive and offensive pressing zone:

4. Defence

A) Pressing in defensive zone

Pressuring the player on the ball in defensive press zone is based more on covering the spaces, rather than on aggressive play, on ability to tighten marking at the right moment rather than making risky moves.

I could see numerous occasions that Jones placed himself to see both the ball and the supporting players when defending in the defensive zone. Looking at stats of his headers, tackles and interceptions one notices him doing a lot of physical work. Notable was also that many of his six successful interceptions happened in the defensive press zone.

I thought Jones showed a good defensive press stance (below to the right) and did on several occasions use the winger to double up the player in possession (below to the left). When doubling up, Jones and his team mate often achieved the minimum aim, that is making it difficult for the player in possession to move the ball forward.  

Doubling up on the opponent                                                                    Defensive stance

B) Shifting.

Examples of Jones shifting could be found when moving in behind a pressing Ferdinand or Vidic, to cover up the deep space behind either of them. An effective shift involves the player in question moving away from his position to take up another that is more useful from a tactical point of view). When looking at press-oriented shifts Jones did on some occasions (in the offensive zone) put pressure on the player moving the ball forward, thereby asking the him questions about playing it safe or creating an attacking transition.

Other observations:

• Right footed, didn't use his left that much.
• Is a versatile player when it comes to either playing in defence or in midfield. Will still feel the urge to cement a place in the first eleven as either and not as stand in for others.
• Physically gifted (ball intercepting, tackling and heading).
• Defended corners by man marking opponent. Got forward on United's own corners.
•  Will be challenged to improve his penetrative and overall width of passing.

I would like to thank @TriciaRKG for providing the picture of Phil Jones shown in the beginning of the post.

What are your opinions on the acquisition of Phil Jones? How do you think that he can contribute to the team's success?

Click on the button below to follow me on Twitter and/or recommend this post on Facebook.

If you would like to leave a comment on this article, please do so below.

Follow @Mango_00


Follow @writtenoff_mufc