Micah Richards has heaped praised on Curtis Jones after the Liverpool star capped off a debut to remember with an audacious flicked goal in England’s win over Greece.
The build-up to the vital Nations League Group B clash was tumultuous, with nine Three Lions players pulling out in a mass exodus which added unwelcome new fuel to the club versus country debate.
One of the beneficiaries was Jones who made his first appearance for England in the heart of midfield in Athens on Thursday night, and the 23-year-old took his chance.
He helped wrap up an emphatic 3-0 victory with a neat backheel finish in the second-half, which capped off a superb all-round display.
And plaudits have come flying in for the Reds’ centre-midfielder, with pundit Richards going as far as claiming it was ‘one of the best England debuts’ he had ever seen, on The Rest is Football podcast.
He 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.
Micah Richards has joined those praising Curtis Jones after the midfielder’s dream debut
A superb flicked goal capped off a fine individual display in an emphatic 3-0 win over Greece
Richards suggested that it ‘really felt like Jones was at home’ on the international stage
‘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 spoke to Daniel Sturridge about him and he said he’s one of the best technical players he’s ever played with and now you’re starting to see it on a regular basis.
‘I think the confidence from Liverpool is obviously helping him but going into internationals, he really felt like he was at home.’
Co-host Gary Lineker, who told the show it was ‘the right time’ for him to leave Match of the Day after his exit was confirmed this week, also weighed in on the midfielder’s display.
‘I’d probably pick out Curtis Jones in particular,’ he said. ‘A first start and I thought he was excellent, he didn’t give the ball away, he was creative and he capped it off with that wonderful finish for the third goal.
‘He 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.’
Jones carried his impressive form for Liverpool this year into the international break
The midfielder then revealed what helped inspire his sensational England debut on Thursday
Ian Wright weighed in on the Liverpool man’s performance saying he put in a ‘brilliant’ display
Speaking to ITV Sport afterwards, Jones was asked about ‘making an impression’ on the day, to which he revealed the secret as to what helped his performance.
He said: ‘The lads around helped as well. I just went out there and I was playing free. I had a smile on my face, I was enjoying it and I’m happy that I came away with a goal.
‘When you’ve got a team like ours, I can go high, I can come low, I can get on the ball and play – there’s lads there to help. Jude stayed back, so I had a chance and lucky enough I scored’.
England opened the scoring inside six minutes as Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins smashed home from close range after neat play down the right-hand side.
The Three Lions doubled their lead after the break as Jude Bellingham’s long-range effort hit the post before deflecting off the keeper and nestling into the net.
Jones wrapped up the win after providing a neat backheel finish after a pass from Morgan Gibbs-White.
The midfielder has been in stellar form during the campaign for the Reds, having scored once and got one assist from his eight Premier League matches.
ITV pundit Ian Wright also singled out the 23-year-old for praise after the match.
Ollie Watkins was perfectly placed to fire home an opener after fine work from Noni Madueke
Jude Bellingham strode through before firing a shot against the post which ricocheted in
Nine stars dropped out of the side and even new boss Thomas Tuchel decided to give it a miss
Gary Lineker also took the opportunity to praise the midfielder after addressing his MOTD exit
‘Curtis Jones was so determined, wanted to get into the box. He’s got the ability to adjust and do that. Brilliant tonight,’ he said of the Liverpool star on his debut.
Mounting speculation surrounding who will replace Lineker as the presenter of the BBC’s flagship football show has ensured England’s Nations League fixtures play second fiddle in the headlines this week.
Shortly before praising Jones on his podcast, the veteran host addressed the subject.
‘It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end,’ Lineker said.
‘It came at a point where really the BBC and Match Of The Day, they’ve got the rights for another three years, the cycle starts from next season so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird.
‘I think the next contract they’re looking to do Match Of The Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.’
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