Curtis Jones was a surprise sale from Liverpool this summer with the academy graduate choosing a move to Italian giants Inter Milan and the midfielder is thoroughly enjoying his time overseas
Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones ended his long association with Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)
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Curtis Jones says Inter Milan boss Cristian Chivu was a huge driving force behind his Liverpool exit. The Reds academy graduate left Anfield this summer in a £30m switch to Serie A.
Jones, 25, had been at Liverpool for 16 years in all, having joined the Reds at the age of nine. Explaining his decision to leave his boyhood club, the midfielder has said that Inter boss Chivu was a huge reason.
He said: "There’s a reason I came here: the phone calls we had, how the team plays, his tactical ideas, and how he works every single day.
"It’s the small things he says, things that might seem minor but end up having a massive impact. Plus, he has immense experience and played at the highest level himself. He’s managed the squad brilliantly. He’s ‘one of us,’ and to me, that’s fundamental."
Jones added: "I just feel at home with the lads. Since the first day, they've been unbelievable and so I can just be myself.
“Of course I've got a point to prove but I know that if I'm just myself, the lads will like me, the staff and the fans as well.”
Jones made 228 appearances in all for Liverpool after progressing through the club’s youth system, scoring 22 goals.
Jones has enjoyed a very promising start to life with his new club, having made a cameo in the slender win against Cagliari last week. He was then introduced at half time on Saturday as Inter battled back from 2-0 down to beat Napoli, a result that leaves Inter sitting second in the early Serie A table.
Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones has enjoyed a promising start at Inter Milan(Image: Getty Images)
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"Some people say Serie A is boring and the Premier League isn't, but you didn't see that today," Jones said after his side’s victory.
"There are great coaches here and so much tactics. Today was a beautiful match with plenty of chances, and the coach made several tactical adjustments that helped us win. Italian teams never surrender, it was a real spectacle."
Jones will be back in action for Inter Milan in midweek as the Italian giants kick off their Champions League campaign against Real Madrid. Liverpool in the meantime also face Spanish opposition in their European opener as they welcome Atletico Madrid to Anfield.
Jones was not the only big-name star to have left Liverpool this summer. Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson all left on free transfers, while Harvey Elliott was allowed to join Spanish side Valencia on loan for the season.
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