Manchester United's English defender Phil Jones gestures to supporters as he leaves the pitch after the UEFA Europa League Group L football match between Manchester United and Astana at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 19, 2019. - Manchester United won the game 1-0. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Birmingham Live, West Brom have been urged to sign Phil Jones by former player Carlton Palmer. He was of the opinion that Sam Allardyce always liked the Manchester United defender due to his attributes and that both of them can help each other. Jones has fallen out of favor at United and is currently nursing an injury.
Meanwhile, West Brom slumped further into relegation trouble after their 2-2 draw against fellow strugglers Fulham this weekend. They have lost 13 games in 21 in the league so far, with Allardyce failing to kick off his managerial stint at the Hawthorns.
The Baggies currently sit second-bottom in the PL standings, having accumulated just 12 points. A tally of just 17 goals scored and 50 conceded clearly epitomises the need for significant improvement if West Brom are to preserve their top-flight status. Allardyce, therefore, has his work cut out in helping a struggling side get their campaign back on track.
West Brom need some impact signings in January to get things up and running. The Baggies have rotated the likes of Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley, Dara O’Shea and veteran Branislav Ivanovic at the heart of the defence to little success. A potential deal for Phil Jones can, therefore, be a step in the right direction as the Baggies look to stem the inflow of goals.
Injuries have ravaged Jones’ career at Old Trafford but he remains an experienced campaigner in the Premier League. When fit, the 28-year-old’s pedigree as a centre-back has hardly ever been called into question.
His fall from grace at United has been really disappointing but the fact that Jones has made over 200 appearances for the Red Devils, whilst also representing England at two World Cups, certainly can’t be overlooked.
Considering that Jones hasn’t played a lot of football in recent seasons, a January move to the Hawthorns looks like a risky proposition for relegation-threatened West Brom. However, it could be a risk worth taking if Allardyce manages to extract the best out of the centre-back.
The 28-year-old still has plenty to offer and would be a useful signing for the Baggies at the back provided he keeps himself injury-free for the second half of the campaign.