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An article in the Daily Mail has linked Phil Jagielka with a stunning return to Sheffield United 12 years after he departed the club.
Since leaving Yorkshire, the defender has had an incredibly successful career. He has made over 350 Premier League appearances and earned himself 40 England caps, but now it may be time to give something back to the club where it all began.
His first stint
Jagielka is just as much a hero at Bramall Lane as he is at Goodison Park, and every single Blade would be happy to welcome him back.
He was the standout player in Neil Warnock’s team that was promoted to the Premier League over a decade ago, and his performances in red and white during the 2000s sealed his place as a fan favourite.
Even though Jagielka was 25 when he left United he hadn’t fully matured as a player. Warnock seemingly didn’t know his best position and described him as “The new Patrick Vieira”, while also saying “I can see Jagger eventually taking over from Gary Neville at right-back for England.”
“Finding a Lionel Messi in Sheffield… bit of a tall order!” – Watch Championship fans attempt to name their clubs’ Messi in the video below…
Still got it
The defender turns 37 in August, and many people would say that he isn’t up to scratch as a Premier League defender anymore, but Jagielka still has all the capabilities to prove them wrong.
When he has appeared this season, he has been more than competent at centre-half, and that was never more evident than when Arsenal came to Goodison Park.
The 36-year-old was thrust into the starting XI just minutes before kick-off due to an injury picked up by Michael Keane during the warm-up.
He had the daunting task of facing up against Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, and he dealt with them both as if he were 10 years younger as well as scoring the winning goal.
He can be the leader at the back that any newly promoted team needs, and although he won’t be able to play every minute of the campaign as he did back in 2006/07, he can undoubtedly be a valuable asset for Chris Wilder when he needs to defend a lead late on.
