With an injury history to rival Darren Anderton’s, and all before turning 21, the careers of these two young future England internationals could go the wrong way if they and we are not so lucky.
There is no doubting that Arsenal and Manchester United have two of England’s best talents in their midst’s in the form of Jack Wilshere and Phil Jones respectively. Since bursting onto the scene as teenagers both have made a significant impact on the Premier League. Now together they are out of their teens and should be looking to make a significant mark at their clubs and for country. But both currently find themselves in an all too familiar but nevertheless equally disheartening position; injured.
Jack and Phil can’t seem to get a break when it comes to injuries after Jones needed knee surgery last week and Jack missed the 2011-12 season in its entirety, struggling with significant knee and ankle injuries.
Jack has been tipped for an imminent return on more than one occasion in that period that have surpassed to nothing. He again has been mooted for a not so distant reappearance but you will forgive Arsenal fans for not exactly getting too optimistic. They have heard that before and until Wilshere has returned, and got a few games under his belt, optimistic fervour may be reserved.
Whilst Jones has not quite had the injury concerns of Wilshere so far his continued ability to become damaged causes cause for concern. He reminds me a lot of ex- Manchester City player Paul Lake; adaptable in many positions with the centre of midfield most likely his optimum area of expertise and a natural leadership quality that could one day see him captaining his country; or indeed Owen Hargreaves, again versatile, combative and technically skilful not to mention highly athletic. Let’s hope his injury problems don’t take his career in a similar way to Paul or Owen however.
Why they and so many other young footballers are getting injured so early in their career is perhaps a mystery. I have my own theories why players such as Holmes, Addison and Vaughan off the top of my head have suffered injuries to curtail potential Premier League success but that may be a rant for another day (emphasis on strength and conditioning far too early before the body has full developed, that is the crux of my bugbear).
Many names have been laced throughout this piece but the two names that always spring to mind from recent times when you think of injury dampening potential are Dean Ashton and Ledley King.
Ashton looked the heir to the never replaced throne of Alan Shearer; a natural goalscorer, adept on either foot and in the air, surprisingly agile and nimble despite his bulky physique and technically marvellous. Ankle injuries but paid to his career.
Ledley King is a player of which superlatives have dried up. Name me an English centre back superior in talent to the Tottenham stalwart in the last 10 years if you can? If knee injuries had not disrupted his career there is no doubt he was a 100 cap player in the making.
So excuse me if I panic monger but there must be concern that Jack Wilshere and Phil Jones, two of this country’s most prodigious talents will struggle to fend off injuries throughout their careers. At only 20 the world remains their oyster and we should hope they do not end up on the scrapheap.
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