---
title: "Are Phil Jones and Chris Smalling really that bad?"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2015/05/28/are-phil-jones-and-chris-smalling-really-that-bad/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Articles"
published: "2015-05-28T10:27:55Z"
modified: "2015-05-28T10:29:54Z"
---

# Are Phil Jones and Chris Smalling really that bad?

**The two English centre-backs, who have a 44.4% win percentage when they’re both in the starting line-up this season, divides the opinion of football fans. They have a combined nine years at Manchester United but are yet to firmly establish themselves as the pairing to take the club forward.**

We first saw the pair play together at the European Under-21’s Championships back in the summer of 2011. Despite England failing to progress out of the group stage, Jones and Smalling’s performances was a positive to take away from the tournament. Since then many feel that they haven’t quite lived up to expectations.

When they arrived to Old Trafford, they had limited opportunities to play at centre-back due to the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, along with Johnny Evans fighting for a place. Both men have had to play at right-back, and Jones has also had spells in the centre of midfield. However, when they have had spells in the team, it has often been stopped by picking up injuries, who have both been labelled as being “injury prone”. Since the two have joined United, they have had a combined 44 injuries (Smalling 20, Jones 24).

In preparation to the 2011 Championships, Stuart Pearce said he saw the newly recruited United player, as a future England captain. Even when his United career had barley started, there were the comparisons to United legend Duncan Edwards, due to physique he had as a 20-year-old. And then after winning the Premier League title in his final year of being United manager, Sir Alex said; You saw Jones tonight. Arguably, the way he is looking, he could be our best ever player.” Very big statements and expectations given to a young player, something that seems to happen regularly in this country when we see young talent start to break through into the big leagues.

It’s obvious to see that Jones has the pace and strength to potentially be a top athlete and commanding defender, but it’s the tactical side of his game where improvements need to be made, having a better positional awareness and knowing when to commit into challenges, to limit his rashness.

Smalling has always shown off his defensive qualities, but there have been question marks over his technical ability and distribution. Stats (from Squawka) have shown that this particular attribute of his has improved significantly from last year. His pass completion rate rose from 82% to 88%, and his average length of pass rose from 19 metres to 23 metres, with Van Gaal certainly playing a factor with his technical progress.

Over the last three seasons, Jones and Smalling have seen progress in their number of successful take on’s and their success rate. The centre-backs within van Gaal’s team have been given the responsibility to bring the ball out from the back and travel with it as far as they can, rather than laying it off for others.

Smalling previously had 33% in 2013, 74% in 2014 with his success rate, but this season he has reached 89% for successful take on’s. Jones previously had 50% in 2013, 53% in 2014 with his success rate, but this season he has reached 79% for successful take on’s.

The two Englishmen were the centre-back pairing during United’s wins against Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City, contributing to arguably the club’s best performances this season. It has to be said that the two were helped with Michael Carrick providing protection in the centre of midfield. I personally believe that the two have had good seasons, especially Smalling who I think has been United’s best defender this season. Not only has Smalling showed progress technically, being the “defensive leader” of the backline earned him the captaincy in their last game against Arsenal with the absence of Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick.

The pair will look to progress even further next season to cement their places in the starting eleven, but that could be at risk as there’s been rumours of new centre-backs bring brought in during the summer with the likes of Mats Hummels and Nicolas Otamendi being linked with the club. Jones and Smalling are no longer considered as young talents, as they’re now 23 and 25 respectively. I believe they’ll still be at United for years to come but will they be important first team players or just making up the numbers for the squad?