PHIL JONES will be included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the 2022 World Cup.
That’s the view of talkSPORT presenter Andy Goldstein following the Manchester United defender’s long-awaited return against Wolves on Monday night.
He produced a thoroughly impressive performance for Ralf Rangnick‘s side despite Man Utd losing the match 1-0.
And Goldstein believes if Jones – who had been out of action for 708 days – can keep up that level then he could be on the plane to Qatar later this year along with defenders such as Harry Maguire and John Stones.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “I’ll make a statement. Phil Jones is going to go to the World Cup with England.
“We’re not blessed with centre-halves. I think there’s a couple centre-halves he’s better than on his day.
“I think he’s better than Mings, and I’d rather have Jones in a back two. If Jones carries on like that he’ll be going to the World Cup.
“In his pomp, I think he’s better than John Stones. I always worry about John Stones.
“Phil Jones is going to the World Cup.”
It remains unclear how much game time Jones will receive under Rangnick in the coming months.
United centre-back Eric Bailly is away at the Africa Cup of Nations for the next month, while Maguire was forced to miss the Wolves clash due to a rib injury.
And Victor Lindelof has not featured since the 1-0 win against Norwich on December 11 after testing positive for Covid.
Those injuries and absences could leave the door open for Jones to partner Raphael Varane once more when United face Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Monday.
Rangnick’s side face a host of fixtures in the next fortnight – with four games in just 12 days.
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And with a decent amount of matches under his belt Jones could once again be in the frame for a national team call-up.
For Euro 2020, Southgate selected centre-backs Maguire, Stones, Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings for his England squad which went on to finish runners-up.
He also picked Kyle Walker – who predominantly plays right-back but can perform as a centre-half in a back three.
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