Sheffield United stars John Fleck and Billy Sharp have been dishing the dirt on their teammates.
In a feature with Football Focus called Honesty Cards, the duo were asked who the biggest teacher’s pet at the club is.
Sharp is quickest to respond, answering: “Jags is tight with the gaffer.”
Fleck adds: “Jags is a similar sort of…” Sharp interjects: “Age!”
Phil Jagielka is certainly a senior player in the Blades squad, having turned 37 in August and played 363 games in the Premier League.
Jagielka also has strong links to United, having come through the academy at Bramall Lane. The defender played 252 times for them before leaving for Everton in 2007.
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Yet Jagielka is a new player to manager Chris Wilder. The veteran only rejoined his boyhood side this summer after 12 years at Goodison Park.
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Jagielka was aware that his game time would be limited when he returned to Bramall Lane. Wilder has an established back three of Chris Basham, John Egan and Jack O’Connell.
The trio have started all 12 top flight matches so far this season, helping the Blades to the joint most clean sheets and second best defensive record in the division.
Jagielka started both of United’s Carabao Cup fixtures and has come off the bench three times in the league in 2019/20. The centre-back says he is happy to play a role “behind the scenes” when not out on the pitch.
Wilder has also been hugely complimentary of Jagielka. He says that the England international sets the example to others in the squad about what can be achieved in football.
Wilder is also pleased with the influence Jagielka brings in the changing room. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him getting increasingly involved with the coaching side of the game in the near future.