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What a difference a year makes for Jags
ONE year ago, Phil Jagielka was coping with the pain of relegation.
Twelve months on and the former Sheffield United defender, whose bizarre hand-ball inside Paddy Kenny's penalty area brought the club's brief flirtation with the Premier League to a heart-breaking end, is celebrating his first international call-up.
He has been named in the 31-man party set to face the USA and Trinidad and Tobago as England's preparations for the World Cup qualifers gather pace.
Jagielka cut a disconsolate figure in the United dressing room during the aftermath of last May's game against Wigan Athletic at Bramall Lane, when a 2-1 defeat saw the home side slide back into the Championship.
But it spoke volumes for his contribution throughout a dramatic campaign that team mates and supporters alike refused to apportion blame and that his move to a top-flight club was still viewed as inevitable.
In the event, it was Everton who spent 4 million prising one of United's most successful home-grown products away from South Yorkshire.
And Jagielka's status as one of the most upwardly mobile footballers in the country was confirmed on Sunday evening when details of Fabio Capello's squad were released by Soho Square.
"I'm not surprised at all," said Ron Reid who, as United's academy director, helped mould Jagielka into the player he is today.
"Phil didn't get off to the quickest of starts at Everton but once he got used to the way they do things over there you've seen him blossom into one of the best centre-halves in the country and the call-up is totally deserved.
"One of Phil's greatest strengths is how quickly he reads the game.
"He's aware of the dangers that are developing in front of him and then has the pace to get into position before they actually happen.
"When Phil first came through the system, he was playing in midfield and, without being unkind, he wasn't the most popular with supporters if things were going wrong.
"But that illustrates another one of his biggest qualities.
"Phil's got great mental strength, a very strong character and he's totally unflappable."
Jagielka has become a regular at the heart of David Moyes's defence, making 48 appearances and scoring twice this season.
One-time United target Stephen Warnock, who has been in outstanding form for Blackburn this term, is also included in the squad.
Chesterfield's Robert Page, who played alongside Jagielka at United, is no stranger to the demands placed on international centre-halves, having won over 40 caps for Wales.
He believes the 25-year-old's athletic ability means he is perfectly equipped to flourish at the highest level.
Page said: "I've watched his last couple of games for Everton and he's been absolutely superb, so he is in there on merit.
"When I first came to United, Phil was a midfielder, and one of the things that really impressed me about him was the fact that you could play him anywhere and he's would do a solid job.
"He's very versatile and, although he's still learning the art of defending, he has the pace to get himself out of trouble."
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 24 May 2012
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