Wilder backs Jags to give Blades Euro edge
SENT packing by Everton after 12 years’ loyal service, Phil Jagielka couldn’t have envisaged the exciting adventure which lay ahead back at the Blades.
With his mind in a spin following the late decision not to offer the former England defender a new contract last summer, Burnley boss Sean Dyche offered him his club’s training facilities to stay fit.
A phone call from Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder soon followed, with a one-year invitation to utilise Jagielka’s experience and knowledge after winning promotion from the Championship.
Tomorrow night he prepares to face Everton, with the Toffees in mid-table obscurity and the Blades battling for a Europa League place.
Jagielka, 37, admits that his departure from Goodison Park could have been handled better, especially after chairman Bill Kenwright had lauded him “one of Everton’s greatest servants.”
“I would have stayed given the opportunity,” he said. “At the time they were after a couple of centre-halves who had been on loan from Chelsea. It appeared that they couldn’t make their mind up about me.
“It seemed the easiest decision was to let me go. That wasn’t nice to hear.”
Marco Silva, who was in charge at the time, had used Jagielka sparingly in that final season on Merseyside. “I still felt I had something more to offer, ” he added.
Jagielka has made only 10 appearances under Wilder but there is talk of a 12-month contract after he agreed to extend his current one past the June 30 cut-off to remain available for the final games of the season.
His path to a regular first-team football has been blocked by Wilder’s firstchoice back three of Chris Basham, John Egan and Jack O’Connell, which also involves a couple of them often overlapping in attacks.
“Overlapping centre-halves isn’t what you want to hear at the age of 37,” added a smiling Jagielka. “What Chris Wilder has achieved this season has been incredible. He’s a Yorkshire guy who always speaks his mind.”
It’s why Wilder laid into the players following Thursday night’s 2-0 surrender against Leicester City, the Blades boss dubbing it the worst performance of the season.
And it’s also why Jagielka’s experience will be utilised before Everton’s arrival.
His manager acknowledges that Jagielka is as important off the field as on it, as his side continue to confound the critics.
“He’s not played as much as he would have liked but he’s turned up every day in training in good spirits, cajoling and supporting the group,” said Wilder.
“And when he is called upon he is always prepared to put his body on the line. He is a great example of what we are at Sheffield United, selfless.”