Defeat United... but it could cost Rovers £2m

8:34am Monday 2nd April 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter

BLACKBURN Rovers will be desperate to derail Manchester United’s Premier League title charge this evening – but know a shock win at Ewood could cost them £2million.

Former Rovers defender Phil Jones is expected to feature against his old club this evening, with Rovers still reaping the rewards from his big money summer move to Old Trafford.

Jones is understood to have cost United £16.5million up front but a number of clauses in the deal mean Rovers could potentially stand to make in the region of £20m.

They have already received money for his England appear-ances this campaign, believed to be £100,000 each, but defending their Premier League title would see Rovers pocket another £2m.

Jones has impressed at Old Trafford this season having quickly established himself a regular first team member.

Rovers boss Steve Kean, said: “When I first saw Phil I said I thought this boy can captain our club and captain England.

“He has since gone on and been involved with England and is going to progress. I have spoken with Sir Alex about him and he is delighted with him.

“He has picked up an injury or two but such is the way he repairs himself, he has a fantastic future.”

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Jones has already made 23 Premier League appearances for the club, despite suffering several injuries.

He has showed his versatility, having played in the centre of defence, right back and central midfield, with Kean insisting he has not been surprised.

Kean said: “The beauty with Phil is he can play in them all. He actually played as a striker when he was younger and is just an all round footballer.

“It depends where Sir Alex thinks is best as to where he will end up. He is in the best place with the best man to find the niche for him.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson is in no doubt that Jones is future captain material at United.

Last summer’s signing from Rovers looked set to skipper United for the first time against Ajax in the Europa League, only for Ji-sung Park to emerge from the tunnel with the armband.

“He’s definitely a future captain,” said Ferguson. “There’s no doubt about that. I said that from the minute he came to us that I thought there was something about the boy.”

Jones missed the matches against Athletic Bilbao and Wolves following a bout of ‘flu but played a full 90 minutes for United’s reserves against Aston Villa and was an unused substitute in their Premier League victory over Fulham last Monday.

Comments (12)

9:43am Mon 2 Apr 12

Tuo Neak says...

Is the £2 million more than the cost to play players frozen out with contract issues? Will we see a forfeit like at Cardiff?

Maybe you are on to something here... get asking the questions and printing the answers or state that there are no answers. Hopefully this is the start of the LT asking these questions.... unlikely
Is the £2 million more than the cost to play players frozen out with contract issues? Will we see a forfeit like at Cardiff? Maybe you are on to something here... get asking the questions and printing the answers or state that there are no answers. Hopefully this is the start of the LT asking these questions.... unlikely Tuo Neak

10:02am Mon 2 Apr 12

maxbrad says...

I will cost more than 2mill if we go down .
I will cost more than 2mill if we go down . maxbrad

10:04am Mon 2 Apr 12

Joey99 says...

The Venkeys will go for short-term profit and tell Stevie to throw the game no doubt
The Venkeys will go for short-term profit and tell Stevie to throw the game no doubt Joey99

10:13am Mon 2 Apr 12

dis-illusioned Rover says...

maxbrad wrote:
I will cost more than 2mill if we go down .
Don't you mean when, not if???

Saturday's results show other teams around us, (Wolves apart), have the fighting spirit to get results against whatever opposition is in front of them, when it matters.

Last weekend's defeat at the "Breezeblock" may well cost us dear (more than 2 mill).
[quote][p][bold]maxbrad[/bold] wrote: I will cost more than 2mill if we go down .[/p][/quote]Don't you mean when, not if??? Saturday's results show other teams around us, (Wolves apart), have the fighting spirit to get results against whatever opposition is in front of them, when it matters. Last weekend's defeat at the "Breezeblock" may well cost us dear (more than 2 mill). dis-illusioned Rover

12:30pm Mon 2 Apr 12

makaveli96 says...

Theres talk that Ferguson has taught Jones how to win "ugly"
Theres talk that Ferguson has taught Jones how to win "ugly" makaveli96

12:48pm Mon 2 Apr 12

The Blocked One says...

Joey99 wrote:
The Venkeys will go for short-term profit and tell Stevie to throw the game no doubt
It's not only this game that will decide whether they end the season as champions
[quote][p][bold]Joey99[/bold] wrote: The Venkeys will go for short-term profit and tell Stevie to throw the game no doubt[/p][/quote]It's not only this game that will decide whether they end the season as champions The Blocked One

12:54pm Mon 2 Apr 12

Steve BB2 says...

Think I would risk losing £2m if it meant 3 points tonight!!

United could well win the title without 3 points from us and could also help us out by beating QPR and Wigan on their run in.

3 points and staying up is worth a lot more than £2m !
Think I would risk losing £2m if it meant 3 points tonight!! United could well win the title without 3 points from us and could also help us out by beating QPR and Wigan on their run in. 3 points and staying up is worth a lot more than £2m ! Steve BB2

1:57pm Mon 2 Apr 12

Ronaldpetercooper says...

Yep that Bolton defeat could be the killer as will the game against Wigan. We still need another 8 or 9 points to stay up and if we can get anything against Man U it will be a bonus. We do not have a good record this season against our lower rivals and I see that some have Stoke to play who appear to be coasting to their holidays. Wins against WBA and an underfire Liverpool will not be easy so imperative we win against Norwich and Wigan. I fear we will be lucky to pick anything up at Spurs or Chelsea so it is going to be a close run thing. We must make sure we have a solid midfield tonight with NO passengers and if we do lose keep it close and tight. Goal difference is going to be vital. Please play Lowe in midfield as I fear at full back there is a serious risk of a red card. COYB
Yep that Bolton defeat could be the killer as will the game against Wigan. We still need another 8 or 9 points to stay up and if we can get anything against Man U it will be a bonus. We do not have a good record this season against our lower rivals and I see that some have Stoke to play who appear to be coasting to their holidays. Wins against WBA and an underfire Liverpool will not be easy so imperative we win against Norwich and Wigan. I fear we will be lucky to pick anything up at Spurs or Chelsea so it is going to be a close run thing. We must make sure we have a solid midfield tonight with NO passengers and if we do lose keep it close and tight. Goal difference is going to be vital. Please play Lowe in midfield as I fear at full back there is a serious risk of a red card. COYB Ronaldpetercooper

5:04pm Mon 2 Apr 12

youngblue says...

Money isn't everything.How much did Simon Garner cost? Good article on Simon on thefootballvoice.com
Money isn't everything.How much did Simon Garner cost? Good article on Simon on thefootballvoice.com youngblue

5:13pm Mon 2 Apr 12

Bluegoose says...

Rovers dont deserve prem league football with fickle fans and poor attendances. They deserve relegation after last seasons narrow escape they should have learnt and spent some money on new players.
Rovers 1 Man Utd 3
Rovers dont deserve prem league football with fickle fans and poor attendances. They deserve relegation after last seasons narrow escape they should have learnt and spent some money on new players. Rovers 1 Man Utd 3 Bluegoose

6:41pm Mon 2 Apr 12

merlinrabbit says...

Bluegoose wrote:
Rovers dont deserve prem league football with fickle fans and poor attendances. They deserve relegation after last seasons narrow escape they should have learnt and spent some money on new players.
Rovers 1 Man Utd 3
Fickle fans? No, now thats unheard of in other clubs isnt it? Bolton had a sell out with their game against us and yet they never sell out. They came for Muamba not the game. I get hospitality tickets for Burnley through work. In big demand when in the premier league and now we cant get rid of them. Liverpool fans hailed the appointment of Dalglish - not now. Wolves fans booed McCarthy to the sack. Deserve relegation? If relegation was based on the fans, bigger clubs than us would go.
[quote][p][bold]Bluegoose[/bold] wrote: Rovers dont deserve prem league football with fickle fans and poor attendances. They deserve relegation after last seasons narrow escape they should have learnt and spent some money on new players. Rovers 1 Man Utd 3[/p][/quote]Fickle fans? No, now thats unheard of in other clubs isnt it? Bolton had a sell out with their game against us and yet they never sell out. They came for Muamba not the game. I get hospitality tickets for Burnley through work. In big demand when in the premier league and now we cant get rid of them. Liverpool fans hailed the appointment of Dalglish - not now. Wolves fans booed McCarthy to the sack. Deserve relegation? If relegation was based on the fans, bigger clubs than us would go. merlinrabbit

6:42pm Mon 2 Apr 12

stick to football says...

United to win title whether Rovers take points off them or not so lets go for it.

Please stiffening up midfield by bringing Orr in for Formica because with two speedy wingers Rovers need to double up and keep them quiet.

So much for Kean saying we are close I presume to safety but now it is as close to relegation. Spirtiat Ewood has been good but no repeat of the Reebok saga please
United to win title whether Rovers take points off them or not so lets go for it. Please stiffening up midfield by bringing Orr in for Formica because with two speedy wingers Rovers need to double up and keep them quiet. So much for Kean saying we are close I presume to safety but now it is as close to relegation. Spirtiat Ewood has been good but no repeat of the Reebok saga please stick to football

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