Matt's own palace

THREE years ago Matt Jansen must have felt the weight of the world on his shoulders as he faced an agonising choice between Manchester and Palace.

Now he owns his own palace in Manchester and that same world is at his feet.

Often inspirational, occasionally infuriating, Jansen is not your average footballer -- he never has been, he never will be.

On the pitch, he's blessed with the kind of ability most of his fellow professionals only dream of.

And off it, he conducts his life with a similar style and panache.

Study the average player profile and the answers are all too predictable: favourite holiday destination, Tenerife; favourite hobby, watching films.

Delve into Jansen's psyche, however, and the answers are far more sophiscated.

Here's a guy who prefers to holiday in Iceland or play a tune on the piano.

Yet, when it comes to cooking a square meal, he often has to nip next door to blag dinner off his sister!

It's now three months since Jansen moved into a swish new penthouse in the roof of an old Victorian school just a stone's throw away from Canal Street -- the trendy end of Manchester city centre.

His previous residence in the Ribble Valley was all very idyllic but, after living in London during his time with Palace, the lure of city life proved too strong to resist.

But what really makes his new place feel like home is the fact his sister Claire and her husband Jay -- who also manages Matt's affairs -- live in the apartment opposite.

"There's good and bad points to that arrangement," quipped Jansen. "They keep an eye on me and I nip next door for meals, to play on the computer and that sort of stuff.

"But my whole family has always been there to support me throughout my career."

His bachelor pad is luxuriously spacious, complete with all the trappings you would associate with a successful footballer.

In one corner stands a giant TV, complete with over-sized leather chairs.

But his prized possessions are a gleaming grand piano and a floodlit hot-tub which adorns the balcony outside.

Both had to be brought in by crane -- it was the only way he could get them into his roof top hideaway.

But Jansen isn't extravagant for extravagant's sake.

He's a man who appreciates the finer things in life.

"It's taken a long time but I've got it right now. Just how I want it.

"I've got my big telly so I can watch the footy, my hot-tub, and the piano -- which I'm still learning -- but it's hard.

"You've got to read two things at once -- your left hand and your right hand.

"But I'm getting there, I'm playing a few Elton John songs now, and it's coming on slowly.

"I'm not doing grades or anything like that. I did that at school when I was learning the saxophone but that was boring. I just want to play the songs I'm interested in playing.

"Then, if some of the lads ever come around, we can have a bit of a sing-song."

Jansen fell in love with football at an early age, but he needed to find an outlet for his talent as his chances were limited at school.

"I was a day pupil at a private boarding school called Austin Friars that didn't play football. They used to play rugby and I was a scrum-half but I left after three years because I wasn't enjoying it that much."

He left to join a local comprehensive where he went on to gain 10 GCSEs. It was at that point Carlisle United started to show an interest.

His Detective Sergeant father -- Matt Snr -- was all in favour.

But Jansen's mum wanted him to carry on his education, so a compromise was struck whereby he did his YTS and attended night school in the evenings.

It was on the pitch where he started to earn his stripes.

After graduating to the Carlisle first team, he aroused the interest of the game's elite.

But, when it came to the crunch, he famously opted for Crystal Palace instead of Manchester United -- a decision he's never allowed to forget.

"Michael Knighton eventually told me I had a choice between United and Palace," said Jansen.

"So I got my dad down to the boardroom, we had a chat about it and I then decided on Palace, so I had to make a phonecall to Alex Ferguson to explain my reasons why.

"We talked for about 20 minutes and he was great about it.

"He asked me what my reasons were and whether I'd win as much with them.

"And I said 'probably not' but I might get a bit more experience, so he wished me all the best.

"I think he was a bit disappointed but he was great about it.

"It's never something I regret, though."

Now, after a series of injuries wrecked his first full season at Ewood last term, Jansen is starting to recapture the kind of form which attracted Fergie in the first place. Twelve goals so far -- the majority of them spectacular -- have made the England Under 21 international striker a key figure in Rovers' promotion plans.

And it has also attracted the attention of new England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, who may come and see the player for himself later in the season.

"It's very flattering to hear some of the things that have been written about me," said Jansen. "But that's something I'm not really going to start thinking about until we hopefully go up next season.

"It's all geared to the Premier League at the moment and you can't really think about knocking on the door whilst playing in the First Division.

"But that's not to say I won't be trying."

In the meantime, however, his main goal is to help Rovers pinch second spot off Bolton.

And, with another holiday booked in Iceland this summer, what further incentive could he need to avoid the play-offs and ensure he gets the maximum close season break.

"I became best mates with Herman Hreidarsson at Palace and I've been over with him to Iceland three times so far.

"It's a great place, the people are really friend and the women are beautiful -- so I've booked in again."

Didn't I tell you this guy has style?