‘Exceptional’ Phil Jagielka is best at the back – Craig Short

Jul 3 2008 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

FORMER Everton player Craig Short reckons current Goodison Park star Phil Jagielka has always been at his best when playing in his own old position of centre-back.

Jagielka, who used to be part of Everton’s youth team before beginning his professional career with Sheffield United, returned to Goodison Park a year ago in a £4.5million move following the Blades’s relegation from the Premier League.

Known as a utility man at Bramall Lane, Jagielka was initially used in the heart of midfield by new manager David Moyes, a similar role to the one he often occupied across the Pennines for Neil Warnock.

However, after several unconvincing displays in the Everton engine room and a brief stint in the right-back position, Jagielka finally found his feet in his new surroundings in central defence.

Such was his consistency in the position, mostly alongside Joseph Yobo with Joleon Lescott moved across to left-back, that Moyes allowed veteran Alan Stubbs to join Derby County during the January transfer window.

Jagielka’s upturn in fortunes was complete at the end of his debut season under Moyes when he was called up into the England squad by new national team coach Fabio Capello, earning his first cap as a half-time substitute in the 3-0 victory away at Trinidad & Tobago in June 1.

Short, who made more than 100 appearances for Everton between 1995-99 has claims he always thought Jagielka was better suited to a central defensive role.