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Jagielka: I don't want to hear about Terry

ESPN staff
May 28, 2014
Phil Jagielka: It's all about building up

Phil Jagielka has balked at suggestions John Terry should be in the England team instead of the Everton defender.

Terry, who retired from international football in 2012, was a regular member of the Chelsea defence that conceded just 27 goals in the Premier League last season.

His form led to calls for Roy Hodgson to recall the 33-year-old, but Jagielka insists he is ready to take on the world's elite.

'I'll be fit for the World Cup'

Phil Jagielka insists he will be okay for the World Cup © Getty Images
  • Phil Jagielka was sidelined for two months towards the end of the season, but returned for the final two matches and is now nearing a return to peak condition after an intense week-long training camp with England in Portugal.
  • "Last week was important for me to get a few more sessions under my belt," Jagielka said after a training session at St George's Park on Tuesday.
  • "We had a really good session today and it is about getting myself ready. I do not need to be 100% fit this week, it is more about building up and getting match practice before we go out to Miami. Hopefully I will time it perfectly for the opening group game."

"I can't say I particularly like to hear it, but I understand why I do," Jagielka said. "Obviously Gaz [Gary Cahill] and JT play together at Chelsea, they play in the Champions League and were contenders to win the Premier League.

"As a defender, partnerships are important - if you have two players who work well together they may be a better bet than two superior players - so I can understand why people talk about Terry.

"I was asked the other day that while our attack looks good, would our defence be okay? I felt like laughing. Our defensive record in the qualifiers was pretty decent, but I can't stop what people are going to ask. I stop, smile and get on with it."

Jagielka added that he has built his own relationship with Cahill. "We spend a lot of time together and we laugh and joke," he said. "He's a Sheffield lad and I played for Sheffield United so there's plenty to talk about. We do not have a tremendous amount of caps [46 between them] but they have most been with each other.

"It is a work in progress. I am more than happy playing alongside Gaz and obviously I know people like Joe Hart, Bainesy and Glen Johnson.

"I still find it difficult assuming I'm going to play for England, but I've played quite a lot in qualifying and have built up a good relationship with Gaz. We haven't played together for a little while and hopefully these three games will give us the chance to get that relationship going again."

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