Liverpool legend Alan Hansen has doubts over Manchester United defender Phil Jones’ ability as a central defender.
The versatile defender has played as a holding midfielder and as a right back for Manchester United and was used in the former during England’s friendly victory over Spain on Saturday.
However, Hansen feels that Jones is not yet ready to play a central defensive role at the top level just yet, although concedes the youngster has a bright future ahead of him. He wrote in his column for the Telegraph:
“Every manager, at club and international level, is looking for the next great centre-half, but Fabio Capello’s reluctance to blood Phil Jones in that position for England highlights the reality that he is still not ready for the role.
“But the fact that Capello has picked Jones in the much softer positions of right-back and holding midfield suggests that he has his doubts over the 19 year-old as a centre-back at this early stage of his career.
“At this moment in time, I share those doubts, although I do not dispute that the Manchester United youngster has massive potential as a centre-half because that is clearly his best position.
“But playing at centre-half and mastering the role takes time.”
