Exclusive: Super Kev suggests West Brom swoop to sign player capped 27 times by England
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips believes Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones could be a good late January addition to Sam Allardyce’s squad at West Brom.
Albion were linked with singing Jones, 28, last month with the Daily Star reporting that the Baggies were keen on a loan swoop for the Old Trafford outcast.
Jones hasn’t made a single matchday appearance for Man United in all competitions this season but the ex-Blackburn ace is still someone who’s earned 200 Premier League appearances and 27 England caps in his career.
Phillips has revealed one of his friends is keen for West Brom to sign Jones and because he has experience of playing for such a big club, he reckons the Man United man could be a solid option for Big Sam.
“My mate who watches all the West Brom games keeps piping up saying, ‘Phil Jones, Phil Jones’,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“He’s played at one of the biggest clubs in the world and he’s played in big games so that could be potential for him to get his career back on track.
“I know Phil Jones hasn’t played but he’d be desperate to do well, he’s always been a fit player.
“Jones would certainly add that experience.”
When we think about potentially signing Jones, we instantly think about Jonny Evans.
Evans was widely criticised at Man United and found himself on the fringes of the squad at Old Trafford before the Albion signed him in 2015.
In the Premier League era, it’s hard to find a centre-back who’s been better for the Albion than the Northern Ireland ace, who’s now playing at top-four-chasing Leicester.
Jones might benefit from a step down away from Man United in the same way Evans did.
However, we’d be worried about signing him before the January transfer window closes simply because he’s not kicked a ball in so long at Old Trafford.
In other West Brom news, Albion have made an approach for a player who almost joined Wolves in the summer.
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