Phil Jones putting 'crap' FA Cup final against Eden Hazard behind him at World Cup

Phil Jones insists he has put a “crap” FA Cup Final performance behind him and holds no concerns about facing Eden Hazard again at the World Cup.

Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 in last month’s Wembley showpiece courtesy of poor defending from Jones, who lost Hazard and then fouled him in the box, conceding the penalty which ultimately settled the game.

England play Belgium in the final match of Group G, raising the prospect of a re-match given Hazard is a virtual certainty to play, although Jones will have to hope for a change in fortunes as he is unlikely to make Gareth Southgate’s starting line-up for Monday’s opener against Tunisia.

However, should Jones force his way into contention in Kaliningrad on June 28, the 26-year-old is undaunted by stopping what he describes as one of the best players in the world.

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“The FA Cup Final was crap,” he said. “But that’s football. These things happen. You move on. You have to, because I can’t sit on my arse and dwell on it for weeks and weeks and weeks then I’d be ready to jump off a bridge if I think like that. It was disappointing, gutted.

“Can I discard that baggage? Of course, you have to. It happens to every single player, all over the world, every day. Some get highlighted more than others, that’s football.

“I’m used to it now and I like to think I’m wise enough and experienced enough to deal with it and get on with it.

“He’s got to be up there with the best players, but I think there are a number of talented players all over the squads. We’ve got some here as well.

“He’s sharp, he’s quick. He’s agile. And he’s a difficult player to play against. We’ve got some of them in our squad as well. I’m not too worried about other players, I’m more worried about what we’ve got. When I look at the squad, the training that we’ve done and the games that we’ve played, I see us doing well.”

Jones was an unused squad member at Euro 2012 and made his tournament debut in England’s final match of the 2014 World Cup, both under Roy Hodgson. And he hailed the improvements Southgate has made in England’s preparations for Russia.

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“I feel there is more structure, everyone knows their jobs, their roles and what is expected of each other,” he said. “Not just on the pitch but off the pitch. It works. I guess there is a clearer identity.

“I am not saying there was not previously but there is a different dimension and different way of doing things in certain situations. The lads have responded well.”