Ex-AS Roma striker Antonio Cassano has made a bold claim about Curtis Jones, stating that he is superior to standout AS Napoli star Scott McTominay, as the Liverpool midfielder continues to be linked with a move to Italy.
Jones looks to be nearing the Anfield exit door, as we grow ever closer to the bumper summer transfer window reopening.
Indeed, rumours continue to circulate that Liverpool’s born and bred Scouser is eager to leave his hometown club behind for more consistent first-team opportunities, despite starting the Reds’ last three contests in all competitions.
The Aston Villa-linked star has impressed, too, in patches, with Arne Slot‘s decision to push him into the starting XI as a makeshift right-back recently going down a treat in the Merseyside Derby last month, as Jones won a lively eight tackles and duels during the 2-1 win.
Noted as being a “huge mistake” if he were to be let go of in the summer by journalist Bence Bocsak, after his full-blooded outing to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, it will be intriguing to see how this situation plays out, with Jones starting yet again under Slot during the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.
Starting 34 games across his last two Premier League seasons under the Dutchman, it’s clear that while he is fitting into the team now, he might be better served to move on, to become a regular elsewhere.
Inter Milan are now being named as another suitor keen on the services of the wantaway number 17, with ex-Inter striker Antonio Cassano tipping Jones to be a success in Serie A if he swaps Merseyside for Milan shortly.
Cassano’s bold comments about Jones
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has further commented on these rumours linking the tenacious Englishman with a switch to the San Siro, stating that Jones is fully open to the idea of uprooting to Italy, with a contract renewal at Anfield on hold.
Moving to Italy in the past has worked for other Premier League talents wanting to cut their teeth, with Fikayo Tomori becoming a first-teamer at AC Milan, after finding his minutes at Chelsea to be limited.
Therefore, the 25-year-old would surely jump at the chance to join the I Nerazzuri, with Cassano – who had a lengthy playing career in the Serie A as a potent striker – tipping Jones to be a success story in Serie A.
The now retired centre-forward has even boldly claimed that Jones would be better than Scott McTominay, if he were to join Inter, with the Scotsman another example of a talent who had fallen to the wayside at a Premier League club – Manchester United to be precise – who has now breathed significant life into his playing days since departing.
He said, when speaking to Calcio Mercato: “Curtis Jones for Inter? He would be an excellent signing, he’s a pacy midfielder, he’s a Champions League-oriented player. He’d be better than McTominay; he has great quality.”
It remains to be seen if the versatile midfielder would go on to a rip-roaring success donning the famous black and blue of Inter, but in Cassano’s eyes, he could be better than McTominay, which is an extremely bold statement.
Could Jones be better than McTominay?
Indeed, last season in Serie A, McTominay was a gladiator-like presence for Napoli.
Scoring 12 goals and picking up four assists during his debut campaign on Italian shores, the lively Scotsman would also average 6.1 duels won per league contest to fully fit into his new fast-paced environment.
Cassano’s argument rests on the fact that Jones would be entering into Serie A near the top of his game already, with the Italian noting that the homegrown Reds youngster is a “Champions League-oriented” player.
There is a logic behind his comments, as he started nine times during Liverpool’s unsuccessful European campaign this season, with a standout performance coming at the San Siro versus Inter in December, as Jones misplaced just three of his 70 passes, all while winning five duels.
He could go on to be a fan favourite hit in Italy; therefore, if he decides enough is enough on Merseyside.
Until the summer, though, the vibrant number 17 will be fully committed to getting Liverpool over the line in clinching a Champions League spot, with Aston Villa up next in Premier League action.
