Footballers often change position as they develop as players and become more mature.
Indeed, Kyle Walker started out as a striker before becoming a right-back, and while William Saliba is the best defender in the world according to some, Saliba started out as a striker as well.
The current England squad have been discussing which position they first started out in, and a number of players noted that they used to be much more attacking than they are now.
Curtis Jones admitted that he was originally a left winger, much to the surprise of the interviewer at the England camp.
Anthony Gordon was quick to chirp up, claiming that Jones doesn’t play on the wing anymore because he’s lost his pace – something Jones, begrudgingly, agreed with.
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Anthony Gordon says Curtis Jones has lost his pace
Gordon reacted after finding out that Jones used to be a left winger.
These days, of course, Jones is a midfield player, and Gordon reckons that change was made due to his lack of pace.
Of course, this was a joke between two good friends. After all, Jones and Gordon are actually best mates.
“What was your first position in football?” Jones was asked.
“Left winger,” Jones said.
“Left winger?” The host asked.
“Yeah, I’ve always had tech, always been an attacking player,” Jones noted.
“Yeah, but he’s lost all of his pace,” Gordon said.
“You’re not wrong,” Jones added.
How fast is Curtis Jones?
Gordon was joking about Jones’ pace, but the reality is that the midfielder probably isn’t quick enough to be a winger.
Indeed, according to The Speeds Database, Jones’ top speed is just 29.7 km/h.
That puts Jones as one of Liverpool’s slowest players, and unfortunately, you need to be quicker than that to play on the wing.
However, Jones does have a remarkable record at youth level when he has played down the left.
| Curtis Jones’ record down the left flank | |
|---|---|
| Games | 31 |
| Goals | 19 |
| Assists | 6 |
Jones has never been the most prolific of goalscorers for Liverpool, but, when he was younger playing in a more advanced role, he was scoring for fun.
Jones perhaps isn’t quick enough to play as a winger, but maybe there is some scope for the 24-year-old to play in a more advanced attacking role and get back amongst the goals.
