Pain in Spain for England as Capello calls on former Blade

By Liam Bend

Business as usual for England then, the 2-0 defeat was hardly a shock to the system against the European champions.

Result aside though and Sheffield can be proud of a former red and white football hero.

Following the previous ‘Wally with a Brolly’ campaign which saw Steve McClaren’s disastrous spell as England manager cut short to just 15 months, now in charge Italian tactician Fabio Capello is looking no further than to former Blades defender Phil Jagielka to help him build a World Cup winning team for South Africa 2010.

The 26 year old earned his second cap on Wednesday night but more significantly this was the first start for his country at senior level.

Despite having a number of England ‘B’ and under 21 honours which illustrates the significant progress the player has made since joining the Sheffield United youth academy back in 2000, the call up came as a shock for Jagielka;

“My form has not been bad at club level so it's always a nice surprise when you get recognised and called up for the England seniors.”

However, ten years ago the Mancunian could only dream of an England cap, on the boggy fields of a Manchester suburb, he played for local team Hale Barns United before being signed by the South Yorkshire outfit.

And on his arrival, then Blades boss Neil Warnock believed the defender would make an instant impact stating “he has all the qualities to be a real asset for the football club in the foreseeable future.”

Months later, Jagielka proved Warnock had a point, making his debut as a trainee aged just 17 in May 2000 against Swindon Town.

Although the defender didn’t establish as a first team regular until his second year as a professional, he became transformed into an instant icon amongst the Blades faithful in 2002-2003, scoring a stunning memorable last gasp winner against local rivals Leeds in the League Cup quarter finals and still aged just 20.

Jagielka’s consistent performances that season helped the Blades reach the play off final but a 3-0 defeat to Wolves meant he had to wait 3 years before playing a crucial role in the Blades promotion to the Premiership in 2006.

One of the highlights of 2006-2007 was the home game against Arsenal when Jagielka was forced to play in goal for the reminder of the match due an injury Blades keeper Paddy Kenny received during the second half.

A late save from the makeshift stopper in that game saw the Blades win 1-0 showing his utility on the field, but this was not enough to escape a quick return to Championship football the following season.

Although not reliant on his goalkeeping skills, it was his highly rated defensive qualities that attracted Everton manager David Moyes to sign the Blade for £4m in the summer of 2007, hoping he would be the answer to strengthen the Toffees backline.

Since the move, Jagielka has carried on from where he left off at Bramell Lane, recent displays show the former Blades academy product is becoming a man mountain on the pitch and is receiving deserved recognition.

Winning endless balls in the air and being tough in a tackle, the player boosts to having the attributes of an old fashioned centre half but combine that with calm and educated football brain and you have a rarity, no wonder he has caught the eye of Capello according to current boss Moyes;

“Phil has worked hard on his game and is getting better by the day, he is a fine performer.”

In all fairness his performance in Spain wasn’t his best, at fault for David Villa’s opener the defender seemed to gain more confidence as the game went on and despite Spain’s Fernando Llorente confirming the win for the champions of Europe, the England international enjoyed the experience;

“Making the mistake for the first goal doesn’t help my chances of another call up, but if I keep performing well for Everton I’m sure I’ll be able to add to my caps, its what every player dreams of” said Jagielka.

Whatever happens from now Sheffield United should feel honoured in playing a critical part in the development of producing a fine footballer and I’m sure Blades fans will wish him well in the future.