Half chance for the circus boy

Ken Dyer13 April 2012

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson today described Matt Jansen as a "player for the future" and said he will probably play one half against Paraguay at Anfield tomorrow.

Blackburn striker Jensen was a surprise call-up into the England squad and the Swedish coach said today: "Matt has a chance and he will play probably 45 minutes. Anyhow, I think he's a player for the future.

"He's very talented. I like him as a player and I wanted to see him. Of course, he might be picked, he might not. I don't know that yet.

"I think if you want to give him a chance you should play him as a striker. He's more used to playing as a striker and not a midfielder.

"It's more important that we play good football. I'm not afraid of the result. We're not going to lose the spirit whatever the result tomorrow night."

Eriksson's faith in 24-year-old Jansen seems to justify the Carlisle-born striker's decision to turn down Manchester United at an earlier stage of his career to join Crystal Palace. His striking rate there was perfectly acceptable - 10 League goals in 26 matches - before he moved to Blackburn in 1998.

By then Jansen had earned a reputation of being a little too extravagant with his talent or, as they occasionally put it down Croydon way, "a right flash Harry."

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness was not impressed.

"He said I was a bit of a circus act," Jansen admitted.

Souness is not a man to be trifled with and Jansen was soon learning to play a lot more for the team rather than himself. The result is a much more mature player these days and, despite Blackburn's draining battle against relegation, he has caught Eriksson's eye.

"It's a late call and I thought my chance had gone," Jansen said. "But I'm here and whatever happens, happens, and I want to enjoy it."

He claims, unconvincingly, that he had not given up all hope of a World Cup place but the fact that he had agreed to be one of the ushers at his brother Joe's wedding in Canada on 15 June, says otherwise.

Jansen is a fresh-faced, almost angelic young man but he had his wings clipped two years ago when he broke a curfew while with the England Under-21 squad in Slovakia for the European Championship finals and was given a three-month international ban for his troubles.

He has paid fully for his indiscretion, however, and is in the senior squad on merit and with a clean slate.

"Someone like Darius Vassell gives me hope," Jansen said. "He took his chance fantastically and if I can copy his example, I will be delighted.

"I feel I'm much more a team player now although maybe I would have progressed more quickly had I gone to Manchester United.

"I have no regrets. though. I enjoyed my spell at Palace and, at the time, I just wanted first-team football, which was more guaranteed there."

Among the congratulations following Jansen's call-up was one from Blackburn team-mate Andy Cole, whose own international future looks bleak following his omission from the squad.

"Andy wished me all the best and gave me a hug," Jansen said. "I really appreciated that. He's a quality player and playing with him at Blackburn for the second half of this season has definitely improved my game."

Apart from his brother's wedding, Jansen has other plans that may need altering. He is due to undergo a hernia operation at the end of this season but added: "I would put that on hold if I was going to the World Cup.

"I've been playing with the problem for almost three months now. It's a bit sore at the end of games but it's not going to get any worse."

For the moment, Jansen remains wide-eyed with excitement at the prospect of making his England debut. "I'm living a dream," he said. "I may only play 45 minutes, even less, but I'm determined to enjoy whatever time I get."

Should the Blackburn striker do spectacularly well there is every chance it could cause some disharmony among the Jansen family.

He explained: "The family is booked to go to Canada for my younger brother's wedding but I think my dad would want to go to the World Cup.

"It would probably cause a rift in the family but we would work something out."

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