the difference between the two was as sir alex pointed out......wes brown was a natural defender. Phil Jones isnt a natural defender. He's a natural trier, in terms of effort he'll never let us down. in terms of ability at the same age he is way behind the likes of smalling, evens, brown, woodgate, campbell, rio etc etc who are all natural defenders and good footballers.
i am not dismissing jones' potential. i am dismissing this idea that he is a central midfielder FULL STOP. and also that he'll be a united england captain / great. Jamie carragher is a better defender and was at the same age who also played all over....right back, left back, centre back, centre mid.
all the players ive mentioned could play in different positions becuase they are good footballers, the reason they dont??? becuase they are too good at defending to waste else where. Jones isnt too good of a centre back that we are wasting him playing else where, and in my personal opinion.....he never will be because its some thing that cant be taught. he can improve but he'l never ever be a top centre back!!