Central midfield? centre half? right back? What is Phil Jagielka’s best position for Sheffield United?
Named, somewhat fortuitously, as the best player in the Championship last season, Phil Jagielka is still to nail down his true position in Sheffield United’s starting line-up.
The 24-year-old, linked with a move to Aston Villa, recently ended speculation over his future by signing a new three-year contract with the option of a further year, keeping him at Bramall Lane until at least 2009.
But having committed his future to the club, Neil Warnock now has to commit Jagielka to a position – once and for all.
The former England U-21 international first broke into the Sheffield United team in 1999 and was utilised in central midfield. However, the youngster’s inability to influence the game from the middle of the park saw him in-and -out of the side for the next two seasons. For all his promise, the industry of Nick Montgomery and the talent of Michael Tonge saw them overtake Jagielka as United’s leading youngsters.
But in the 2002-03 season Jagiela finally made his mark, as a defender. Surprisingly played at right-back, Jagielka excelled as United reached the semi-final in both cup competitions. Following the loan capture of John Curtis, Jagielka was then switched to centre back alongside Robert Page and looked every inch a 4 million pound player. Comfortable in posession, an excellent reader of the game and a fine tackler seemed to confirm Jagielka’s long-term future as a cultured defender.
Yet United’s disastrous play-off final defeat to Wolves and an error prone 2003-2004 campaign forced Warnock into a re-think and Jagielka was eventually switched back to midfield. It looked a good decision by the manager as Jagielka became United’s oustanding performer as they raced into an unassaiable lead behind eventual champions Reading last season.
However, like the rest of the side, Jagielka’s performances dipped at the turn of the year and his influence from central midfield diminished as Michael Tonge rediscovered his form.
Jagielka began this season in midfield, but was used just in front of the back four against Liverpool. And after finishing in United’s defeat at Spurs at centre half, Jagielka started there at Fulham where he performed creditably alongside Chris Morgan.
Only Warnock knows whether Jagielka’s move back to the defence is temporary or permanent. What is crucial though is that both manager and player finally make a decision and stick to it.
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