Curtis Jones says he joined Inter because of Cristian Chivu’s phone calls, tactical ideas and the way he works day to day. The move from Liverpool was a £30million transfer this summer, after 16 years at Anfield for a player who joined the club aged nine.

Chivu's pitch to Jones

Jones 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." He added: "He’s managed the squad brilliantly. He’s ‘one of us,’ and to me, that’s fundamental."

That is a strong endorsement of a manager who clearly spent time selling both the football and the environment. Jones also said, "My integration is going well. The staff has been incredible, I feel good, and I’m really enjoying myself. I’m proud to be here. I want to play and prove to the team and staff that I’m up to the task, and I always want to give my maximum for our fans."

The early numbers are modest. Jones has made two Serie A appearances for Inter this season, totalling 70 minutes, and his current rating is 6.6. That still points to a player being eased in rather than handed a central role straight away.

Early signs in Italy

Jones's first weeks have also included a comeback win over Napoli at the San Siro, where he came on as a second-half substitute as Inter recovered from 2-0 down to win 3-2. After that match, he pushed back on the idea that Serie A is dull, saying: "Some people say Serie A is boring and the Premier League isn't, but you didn't see that today."

He followed that up by stressing the coaching detail in Italy: "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."

The point is not that Jones has transformed instantly into Inter’s main man. It is that his own comments show why this move appealed to him, and his first few outings have already given him a platform to talk up the league he has entered.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →