Okay, Panini. The game’s up, lads. What have you done with the real Phil Jones?
Over the years, we’ve come to know and love the many wonderful gurning expressions the Manchester United centre half has produced during the heat of the battle.
With this in mind, it’s been noted by many of those that have already made a start on their World Cup sticker collections that there’s something slightly odd about the defender’s appearance on his new Panini sticker.
Obviously, nobody would’ve expected Jones to be pulling the kind of face that suggested he was making a last-ditch horizontal-plank slide-tackle on Olivier Giroud, but it’s fair to say that he looks… well, absolutely gorgeous, to be quite honest with you.
Here, look:
The sticker has caused quite a reaction, with some suggesting Jones’ face has been photoshopped to accomplish the more polished appearance. Elsewhere, others have claimed it may be the result of make-up or – a far more plausible explanation – that Panini have used a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON.
Here’s a flavour of what’s being said about it on Twitter…
Can we all just have a little look at the Phil Jones panini sticker please 😂 pic.twitter.com/KMglZsijR2
— Paul Sibley (@Sibley23) March 24, 2018
Is it just me or does Phil Jones look as if he's wearing make-up on his Panini World Cup sticker? pic.twitter.com/oqe37Df8zj
— Ian Bolland (@imboll) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/RichNewbold/status/978884889088020482
Phil jones probably played tonight.. but none of us recognised him 😂 what is this sorcery! This is horrendous #panini #stickers #PaniniStickerAlbum #WorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/hiui2YFkx0
— rav norris (@RavNorris) March 23, 2018
Doesn't look anything like Phil Jones! #panini #worldcupstickers pic.twitter.com/ChjGM8BuSk
— Hannah Partridge (@PartridgeHannah) March 22, 2018
Jones – assuming he’s in the squad / released by his captors at Panini – and his England colleagues kick off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18. They will also face tournament debutants Panama and Belgium in their group.
