Liverpool midfielder, Curtis Jones, is making waves both on and off the pitch. Recently becoming a father and earning his first England cap, Jones is proving that he can balance personal life with a thriving sports career. His debut performance for England was so impressive that it earned high praise from Micah Richards, who described it as one of the best debuts he's ever seen.
Jones has been steadily carving out his place in Arne Slot’s starting XI at Liverpool. His recent performances have not only solidified his position but also earned him an opportunity to represent England on an international level.
His debut couldn't have gone better; against Greece in a UEFA Nations League match, Jones played a pivotal role in securing a 3-0 win for England. This performance was lauded by former footballer and broadcaster Micah Richards who showered praises on the 23-year-old.
Micah Richards lauds Liverpool midfielder
Richards' commendation of Jones' performance wasn't just empty words; the young Scouser capped off his fine display with a late goal using clever backheel technique that found its way into the net past Greece's goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Micah Richards, Manchester City legend, said:
“Curtis Jones was extraordinary. That is one of the best England debuts I have ever seen, What I mean by that is that when you got to England sometimes the pace is a bit slower and you play the easy pass. If you look at Curtis Jones’s body positions he was always available every time.
“When you are playing that position in a pivot you don’t always have to be dribbling past people, breaking the lines and playing a fantastic pass it’s just being available for the ball. I think him in that role, sometimes at Liverpool, he plays as a number eight and likes to get in the box as we saw for that goal, but in terms of being that person who is not afraid to get on it, it showed me his character and how fearless he is.”
Richards was left awestruck by this display of skill and finesse from such a young player making his debut. He described it as one of the most impressive debuts he had witnessed throughout his career as both player and broadcaster.
Impressive number Against Greece
Jones' triumphant debut didn't go unnoticed among fellow players either - Jude Bellingham and Virgil van Dijk congratulated him after running the show for England while also getting his name on the scoresheet.
Here are some key stats from Jones’ game against Greece:
- 86 touches
- Completed 65/68 passes (96% accuracy)
- Won 7/12 duels
- Made 4 tackles
- Completed 1 dribble
These stats suggest that Jones was in the thick of the action, contributing to both phases of play. This is an encouraging sign for England's future games, indicating that Jones could be a key player in their long-term plans.
Curtis Jones' debut performance for England has set high expectations for his future career. His ability to balance personal life with professional commitments, coupled with his impressive skills on the pitch, make him a promising talent in English football. As he continues to impress fans and fellow players alike, it will be exciting to see how this young star develops and contributes further to Liverpool and England's success.
