Micah Richards has described Curtis Jones’ England debut as “one of the best” he’s ever seen after an impressive showing in England’s convincing victory away in Athens.
Curtis Jones Caps Off England Debut With Audacious Back-heel
It was a night to remember for Curtis Jones, who donned the England shirt for the senior team for the very first time on Thursday evening.
After being shoehorned into the squad on short notice after a spate of withdrawals – nine to be exact – Jones was handed a surprise start in the centre of midfield alongside Conor Gallagher.
Having overcome an unfortunate early-season injury, the 23-year-old continues to flourish under new Liverpool manager Arne Slot, and this latest chapter on the international stage is another string in his bow.
His performance against Greece will no doubt be remembered for an audacious back-heel flick to make it 3-0 on the night, but his overall game was reflective of his growing stature on Merseyside.
Micah Richards Says Curtis Jones’ Debut Was “One of the Best”
Effortlessly commanding the middle of the pitch with delicate turns and line-splitting passes, Jones was metronomic in his ability to keep England ticking over.
He completed over 95 percent of his passes, and overturned possession in dangerous areas on several occasions with impressive strength in ground duels.
It was a complete midfield performance, and one that Micah Richards has boldly described as one of the best England debuts he’s ever witnessed.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Richards said: “We don’t really produce the player who can play in that pivot role, Angel Gomes played there and did very well at times, but Curtis Jones was extraordinary.
“That’s one of the best England debuts I’ve ever seen.
“If you look at Curtis Jones, his body positions, he was always available for the ball every time and when you play in that position in a pivot, number six, you don’t always have to be dribbling past people, breaking the lines and playing that fantastic pass, it’s just being available for the ball.
“And I think, him in that role, in terms of just being that person who is not afraid to just get on it, I thought it showed me his character and how fearless he is.
“I think the confidence from Liverpool is obviously helping him but going into internationals, he really felt like he was at home.”
‘He [Jones] was so happy to take the ball and when he was under pressure, he found a nice little pass or a turn or a flick. I thought he was really exceptional, he’s making real progress isn’t he.”
