With a place at next summer’s World Cup in the bag, all that remained for Gareth Southgate’s England in 2017 was a couple of glamorous friendlies.
The first of those came at Wembley on Friday night, with Germany – the team that will be defending their crown in Russia next summer – the visitors.
Unfortunately for many of those in attendance, it was clear long before kick-off that this wouldn’t be a full strength England squad. A series of injuries (or ‘injuries’) ensured that several England regulars would be missing out.
Manchester United’s Phil Jones, a man who’s no stranger to picking up the odd injury here and there, was not one of those to withdraw. Instead, he started the game in the heart of the England defence – lasting a good ten minutes before he started hobbling about the pitch with an injury.
At this point, given that this was a friendly, few would’ve blamed him for signalling to the bench that his game was over. Southgate appeared to understand this too, appearing to ready Michael Keane as a potential replacement for him. Despite this, Jones insisted on staying put for 15 minutes more, eventually coming off after making a goal-line clearance to deny Manchester City’s Leroy Sane.
His decision to try and play on through the pain barrier, potentially worsening his injury, did not sit well with the supporters of his club.
Three things we are guaranteed in life: Death, taxes and Phil Jones playing three-four games before having to come off injured.
— Jonas Adnan Giæver (@CheGiaevara) November 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/writtenoff_mufc/status/929080279217696768
https://twitter.com/Neshmicheals/status/929083180824571904
Swear to god, Phil jones could get injured on songs of praise.
— John Ludden (@johnludds) November 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/TheManUtdWay/status/929084209234358272
https://twitter.com/footballdaley/status/929104911836512257
