Root and Stokes grind down weary India to stretch lead beyond 100
‘Jones gives England what they're missing’
JAMES NALTON writes how the Liverpudlian carried himself like a seasoned international against Greece in his senior debut for the Three Lions
England's Curtis Jones (left) and Anthony Gordon celebrate the win after the Uefa Nations League Group B2 match at the Athens Olympic Stadium in Greece, November 14, 2024
IT WAS difficult to believe that England’s game against Greece on Thursday night was Curtis Jones’s senior debut for the national team.
The 23-year-old Liverpudlian carried himself like a seasoned international and rounded off a familiar hard-working, team-focused display with a moment of individual class to add England’s third goal with an inventive flick.
Seeing Jones in an England shirt is already reasonably familiar. He was a regular in the youth teams and was part of the team that won the U21 European Championship in 2023.
He even got his name on the scoresheet for the only goal in the final against Spain after deflecting a Cole Palmer free-kick goalward.
It was a slightly fortunate goal, but there was nothing fortunate about Jones’s success at that level.
More from this author
The Red’s title defence is built on clever recruitment, long-term planning, and data-led strategy. In contrast, the Magpies are falling behind — and blaming the wrong things, writes JAMES NALTON
With climate change, commercial overload and endless fixtures, footballers are being pushed to breaking point. It’s time their unions became a more powerful, unified force, writes JAMES NALTON
Joao Pedro’s emotional goals against Fluminense captured the magic of an international club competition. But even as fans bring colour and passion, the Club World Cup’s deeper issues loom large, writes JAMES NALTON
