Blackburn defender Michel Salgado sees Manchester United‘s Phil Jones as a future England skipper.
The former Real Madrid star played with Jones at Blackburn and knew that he would go on to become a star from the very first time he saw him play for Rovers.
Jones has since gone on to make a big-money move to Old Trafford and has earned caps for his country, including a start in midfield in the recent win over world and European champions Spain.
“He is a future England captain — I’m absolutely convinced,” Salgado told The Sun.
“I remember a Carling Cup game for Blackburn when he was 17 and I said to people ‘crikey he’s a good player’.
“I loved his attitude but it was only a Carling Cup game so you reserve judgement, and then you see him in the league and he is just as good.
“Now he has gone to United at 19 and he is among their best players. He has personality and talent.
“When Capello played him in central midfield for England some complained but I thought it was rational and he played well against the world champions.”
Salgado played right-back for Real Madrid and made over 50 appearances for the Spanish national team and spoke glowingly of England’s 19-year-old prospect.
“He has everything he needs to play there, centre-back or right-back, never loses his concentration, he’s always well positioned and he’s a great athlete,” he added.
Jones will be under the spotlight even more this season following the news that United’s captain Nemanja Vidic will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in the loss to Basel.