West Ham will have to add a lot of squad depth this summer, especially at centre back, if David Moyes is to be able to field a strong three-man defence in both the Europa League and Premier League, and former midfielder Rob Lee believes Phil Jones could be a good addition.
Jones has been exiled this season from the Manchester United squad having not made a Premier League appearance since they lost 2-0 to Burnley in January 2020, but he has been linked with a potential lifeline with the Hammers.
Should West Ham sign Phil Jones?
Yes!
No!
Having burst onto the scene at a young age at Blackburn Rovers and signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, the future appeared to be bright for Jones but after a full season of playing no football, he appears set for the exit door but could still perform for other clubs considering he’s still just 29 years of age.
Moyes has proved this season that he can take discarded players and turn them into quality Premier League players – just look at Craig Dawson and Jesse Lingard – so he could potentially do the same with the £120,000-a-week Jones and Lee believes it could be a good deal, as he exclusively told This is Futbol:
“We haven’t seen Phil Jones for so long now but he shot on the scene as a youngster and was very good, but he’s been ridiculed for the last few seasons although I still think he’s got all the attributes to be a good centre back.
“It would depend on the cost and whether or not you take a chance on him getting back to how he used to be because we haven’t seen Phil Jones for well over a year.”
Such was Jones’ potential when he was at Man United under Sir Alex Ferguson, the former manager claimed that the 29-year old could become one of the Red Devils’ best ever players.
He was certainly a talented player at times during his career at Old Trafford having won 27 caps for England as well as having lifted seven trophies which is nothing to turn your nose up at.