Phil Jagielka: A good old-fashioned centre-half (Video)

The news that Phil Jagielka has extended his contract with the club until 2017 will have brought a smile to the face of many Evertonians.

After predominantly playing in Sheffield United’s midfield, Jagielka’s move to Goodison Park in 2007 saw him eventually became an integral part of Everton’s defence.  His impressive form throughout 2009 was cruelly ended by a cruciate ligament injury in a home defeat to Manchester City.  This came shortly after he had converted the winning penalty against Manchester United in a shoot-out at Wembley to send the Toffees to the FA Cup final.  Everton would lose the final without their Player of the Year, who would also be missing for most of the following season.

Jagielka had already made his debut for the senior England team prior to his standout performances during the 2008/09 season, coming on as substitute against Trinidad and Tobago in June 2008.  Since then he has made a further 15 appearances for the Three Lions, continuing to progress after returning from injury in 2009.  The Everton defender travelled to Poland and Ukraine as a member of Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2012 squad, before scoring his first goal for his country in a friendly victory over Italy in August.

Modern day footballers are often viewed as soft, and recent examples of players avoiding a ball in the face whilst defending a free kick have done little to change this. 

Putting his body on the line time and time again, Phil Jagielka epitomises the type of player every team wants but not every team is lucky enough to have.

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Comments

[George Weaver]

Ryan Shawcross and Martin Skrtl are great examples of this type of player aswell.
I'd much rather see a good hard tackle than a half hearted nip at the ball