Curtis Jones of Liverpool is one of the brightest talents England U21 boss Lee Carsley has ever seen.
On the overall, Jones’ campaign has gone well so far, but lately, injuries and suspension have thrown off his rhythm.
The 22-year-old’s impressive performance at this summer’s U21 Euros, which he won with England, continues his good run. Now, in an interview with the Liverpool Echo, head coach Carsley extolled Jones’ virtues.
“Like Cole Palmer, I’m not at all shocked by how Jones is doing.” The former Everton midfielder stated, “Curtis would be up there with the most talented players I’ve worked with.”
He possesses all the necessary qualities for a midfield player. He just needs the right occasion to show off his skills. He can run, is really quick, powerful, can score, can help defend, and can take the ball.
“Every time I’ve watched him play, he’s played brilliantly. All he had to do was keep in shape. I am aware that he has occasionally had difficulty being consistent in his play, but it is amazing to watch him translate the form from the summer—that is, responsibility and positional understanding—into playing for Liverpool.
Carsley asserts Jones’s claim
The things Carsley mentions about Liverpool’s No. 17 here are likely already known to and agreed upon by the club’s supporters.
Although it has always been obvious, Jones is a unique player, and in the last six months, this has grown even more evident. He appears to possess all the qualities required to succeed at Liverpool as a quality midfield player.
One issue has persisted since the Scouser made it out of the academy and into the starting lineup, and that issue is injuries.
If not for those pesky minor concerns, it’s not impossible to picture Jones in Jurgen Klopp’s best XI for the Reds. This season, the management has continued to play him when he is available because he likes him.
Even at 22, there is still plenty of time to work out the kinks. But some members of the fan base are about to call Curtis “injury-prone.”
Jones cannot afford to fall behind in the fierce race for midfield spots for Liverpool.
He possesses all the skill of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominick Szoboszlai on paper. Although the academy graduate hasn’t played much this season, both have established themselves as long-term starters ahead of him.
But Jones has recovered from similar layoffs in the past to take his position back. He has no reason why he can’t do it once more. Carsley claims to have the talent necessary to succeed. Get in shape, then observe the results.
