Jagielka – the Everton inspiration

Phil Jagielka has become Everton’s most wanted player following the pre-season moves of Mikel Arteta, Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu.

He has also become one of the most liable defenders in Fabio Capello’s England squad ahead of Euro 2012. Jagielka played a big part as England reached their goal and qualified as the top team.

Jagielka was born on August 17, 1982 in Sale, Greater Manchester.

As a youngster he played for his local team Hale Barns United in Cheshire and his predomination soon attracted youth scouts.

Jagielka has been known for his versatility, being able to play as a midfielder, defender and, in emergencies, also acted as keeper.

Jagielka joined the youth academy at Sheffield United, making his way through the youth ranks before his first team debut on May 5, 2000 in the last match of the 1999-2000 campaign against Swindon Town.

He was eager to put pen to paper to a deal with the Blades in the season that followed and signed a three-year contract. After starring in the reserves for two years, he established himself in the Sheffield United first team in the 2002-03 season.

Jagielka was happy at Bramall Lane and signed a new three-year deal in August 2006.

Manager Neil Warnock named him vice-captain and in September of the same year he netted his first goal for the Blades with a half-volley against Middlesbrough in in a 2-1 Premier League win.

Jagielka became a fixture in the side and by the end of season 2006-07 he chalked up 133 consecutive league appearances for United. Yet, the side was relegated in May 2007 and the fans knew that Jagielka was about to depart for a bigger team.

In fact, after 254 league matches and 18 goals (1999-2007) he joined Everton on July 4, 2007 for £4 million. It was a record as Jagielka’s fee became the highest amount ever paid for a Sheffield United player at the time.

Jagielka made his Premier League debut for Everton on August 14, coming in as a substitute for Victor Anichebe in a 3-1 victory over Tottenham at White Hart Lane. He started his first full match as full-back against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium, where Everton also won 2-1.

In his first full season at Goodison Park, Jagielka appeared in 27 league matches and used as substitute on seven occasions.

Jagielka made his name in the 2009 FA Cup by scoring the winning penalty for Everton in a shoot-out against Manchester United in the semi-finals.

However, he then ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and missed the final.

The fans still voted him as the club’s player of the season.

Last season, Jagielka almost played in all Everton matches, bar a period between January and early February because of injuries. In all, he appeared in 33 matches.

On the international scene, Jagielka scored twice in six England U-21 appearances and played for the ‘B’ team against Albania before Capello handed him his first senior cap as a substitute for Rio Ferdinand against Trinidad away in June 2008.

He was once again named in the England squad for the friendly against Spain on February 11, 2009, and played for the first 45 minutes after an impressive string of performances at club level.

Jagielka received his fourth cap when he played in England’s first post World Cup 2010 friendly against Hungary on August 11, 2010 at Wembley Stadium where he committed an own goal in a 2-1 win.

Jagielka made his first competitive start, and played for the whole match, in a 4-0 win over Bulgaria on September 3, 2010 in a European Championship qualifier.

So far, the Everton defender has starred in 29 matches for his country.