Source: Team_Talk
PJ proud of Edwards comparison
Manchester United defender Phil Jones admits he is flattered by comparisons with Duncan Edwards, and has set his sights on going to Euro 2012.[LNB] Edwards died aged 21 in the Munich air disaster, but despite his tender age he was already considered one of the best defenders in Europe and was an England international.[LNB]Now both in terms of their looks and style of play, and ability to potentially lead their country - many onlookers at Old Trafford feel Jones is the closest thing to a new version of Edwards.[LNB]And Jones admits he is proud to be mentioned in the same breath as Edwards.[LNB]"It's brilliant for me to even be considered as being a player who could become as good as Duncan Edwards was," Jones told the Daily Telegraph.[LNB]"It is flattering and, for young lads like myself and my team-mates to be compared to great young players of the past, it is an amazing feeling.[LNB]"People have told me about Duncan, facts and figures about him, but I obviously know what he means to this club. [LNB]"When you come into training in the morning, knowing that people are talking about you in the same breath as players of the Busby era, it is fantastic, but I can't let it affect me. I have to play my own game and continue to do what I have been doing so far.[LNB]"I wanted to come here and play. I didn't want to come from playing every week at Blackburn to becoming a bit-part player at United, but I knew I probably had to do that at the start.[LNB]"I wanted to come to United because I felt that the club was right for me, so if I had to wait, I was prepared for it." [LNB]And the hype and star billing? "One of my strong points is that, no matter what anyone says about me, it will not affect me, it's because I believe in my ability and what I can achieve.[LNB]"I know I am good enough to be here, otherwise the manager wouldn't have paid the money he spent to bring me to the club.[LNB]"It doesn't matter what anyone tells me, I know that I can rely on myself. It comes from my parents. They are the same strong-minded people as I am and I just don't let anyone bring me down.[LNB]"I want to be a successful player. I want to be remembered one day as a great player, good athlete, good professional. I don't want to be a player that people don't remember, but I have to work hard for that. I have to do some grafting, but it is something I am willing to do."[LNB]Jones admits that once he heard about Sir Alex Ferguson wanting to sign him in the summer, there was little doubt he would be moving to Old Trafford.[LNB]"It was brilliant when I heard of United's interest, an incredible feeling," he said.[LNB]"The whole experience - speaking to the manager on the phone, meeting him in person, going through the whole process of signing - was fantastic.[LNB]"Lots of clubs showed an interest in me, but United just felt right; the whole club, the set-up. It wasn't the fact that it was United, it was that I walked in here and met people, the staff and physios et cetera, and it just felt right.[LNB]"At Blackburn, when I knew there was interest from bigger clubs, I said to myself that if it [a move] happens, then it has to feel right and this felt right."[LNB]Jones move was delayed by a number of days amid reports Blackburn's owners, Venky's, wanted more money - but he admitted he was never in doubt the deal would be done.[LNB]"I was never concerned that it wouldn't happen," Jones said. "I was always confident because I knew it was happening. Rumours were flying around and people were talking about all sorts of things, but I knew 100 per cent that it would happen.[LNB]"There was talk of the Blackburn owners not willing to sell for a certain price, that they wouldn't sell at all, but it wasn't the case.[LNB]"There were even rumours on Twitter that I had failed a medical, which was simply not true. I was seeing all this on Twitter, knowing the reality of the situation, but I decided not to get involved and respond to it.[LNB]"I was laughing at some of the tweets, though, because people really didn't understand what was going on.[LNB]"I spoke to [Blackburn manager] Steve Kean over the phone and he was great to me.[LNB]"When it all went through he called me and wished me all the best and told me that I should be going to United as the number one because I was good enough to do it."[LNB]Many believe Jones is ready to step into the senior England side, but he admits at the moment he is more than happy playing for the Under-21s.[LNB]"The Under-21s is still a big thing because it is a massive honour to represent your country at any level. The Under-21s are no different. The lads and the coaching staff are great and I am still learning. Any international football is a learning experience.[LNB]"Euro 2012 would be great, but I have to keep performing well for United if that is to happen.[LNB]"I was in with the seniors for the last game, against Wales, and that was a brilliant experience.[LNB]"Once you get a taste you want more and I want to be pushing for senior recognition. Just because I am 19 doesn't mean that I shouldn't be challenging for a place in the England squad.[LNB]"If I keep doing well and my performances are showing that, then I don't see why not."
