Salgado: Jones a future England captain

Blackburn Rovers defender Michel Salgado believes Manchester United’s Phil Jones has what it takes to one day captain England.

The former Real Madrid man played with Jones at Blackburn and said he knew he would go on to become a star from the very first time he saw him play for Rovers.

Jones has since gone on to make a big-money move to Old Trafford and has earned three caps for his country, including a start in midfield in their recent win over world and European champions Spain.

Salgado, who played right-back for Real Madrid and made over 50

appearances for the Spanish national team, spoke glowingly of England’s

19-year-old prospect.

“He is a future England captain – I’m absolutely convinced,” Salgado told The Sun.

“I remember a Carling Cup game for Blackburn when he was 17 and I said to people ‘crikey he’s a good player’.”

“I loved his attitude but it was only a Carling Cup game so you reserve judgement, and then you see him in the league and he is just as good.”

“Now he has gone to United at 19 and he is among their best players. He has personality and talent.”

“When Capello played him in central midfield for England some complained but I thought it was rational and he played well against the world champions.”

“He has everything he needs to play there, centre-back or right-back, never loses his concentration, he’s always well positioned and he’s a great athlete.”

Jones will be under the spotlight even more this season following the news that United’s captain Nemanja Vidic will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in the loss to Basel.