He'd probably be less hassle at right back than giving me heart attacks at centre back but I still think he's unlikely to progress to the player we need. I just feel like he has far too much ground to catch up in terms of the mental attributes required for a top defender. That and he can barely go 5 games without breaking.
Valencia's a much better full-back anyway.
I hate to say it, but I agree with you. I long thought he was going to become a top defender, year in year out among the best couple/few in the league.
Even with all the injuries, he has more than enough of the physical tools to get to that level. It's between the ears where he's just not making those steps forward.
He just doesn't read the game well enough. He's always reacting in some hero mode effort. It's great that he can do that when required, but it's incredibly damming how often he has to. The best center halves deal with issues before they become problems. It's deciving to watch them. It looks like they were well screened or the opposition attack had an off day. In reality, it's the subtle things they do. They take a couple of steps and choke a channel. They see space before it can be exploited. They keep an active eye on the rest of the backline and the screening element to avoid becoming isolated and vulnerable.
Jones just doesn't do enough of that. He's young and can't be expected to be even nearly the finished article, but he should have a solid, demonstrated command of those critical little things. Yeah, fitness has been an massive issue for him. You can improve on the training table. If you can dress out to play, you probably aren't training at a serious level. That doesn't whitewash just how bewildering poor he's been at the ins and outs of his chief position.
He was so poor that Blind took his position just before the start of the season. Whether van Gaal had been considering it or not, it was very much his position to lose. If he couldn't hammer it down then, when will he?
I can't help but think this is the year to decide his future at United. If he can gain Mourinho's trust and get on the proper trajectory, he may belately become that player we hoped he would.
Right now, Blind has done more and better at center half than he has--with far fewer physical tools. Bailly is young and raw but may out develop Jones in this coming season alone. It's coming down to it for Jones.
I don't like his chances at this point.
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