Too many big nights on the bench explain why Curtis Jones chose Inter
Some departures sting more than others, and Curtis Jones leaving was always going to be one of them. A local lad, a product of the academy and a regular presence around the first team for eight seasons, he is now an Inter Milan player. Having listened to him explain the decision, we find it very hard to argue with.
His message from Milan is clear. At 25, he wants to be at the heart of a side that expects to win things every year, and he wants to be one of the players who makes that happen rather than a squad option waiting for his chance.
A medal haul with an asterisk
Nobody can say Jones did not contribute at Liverpool. He leaves with 228 appearances, 22 goals and 22 assists to his name, plus two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the FIFA Club World Cup. That is a cabinet most players would be thrilled with.
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Dig into the detail, though, and you understand his frustration. He sat as an unused substitute in the FA Cup final, the Club World Cup final and the 2022 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid. He was not even in the matchday squad for the League Cup finals in 2022 and 2024, although injury was the reason on the second occasion. For a boyhood fan who came through the ranks, watching the biggest games from the sidelines must have worn thin.
Why Inter made sense
Inter are not a sentimental choice. Over the last five years they have won Serie A three times, lifted the Coppa Italia three times and reached two Champions League finals. This is a club where competing for the biggest prizes is the baseline, not the dream.
Asked what he wants from his time in Milan, Jones kept coming back to the same idea. Winning is the priority above everything, and he said he simply wants to be part of a winning team. He was keen to stress that personal numbers are not the driving force. Of course he hopes to chip in with goals and assists, but he talked up the quality of the players around him and his belief that his opportunities will come, as long as he arrives and plays his part for the collective.
A Liverpool boy, even in blue and black
What we liked most was that he did not pretend the move was easy. Jones admitted it meant a lot that a club of Inter’s stature had shown faith in him, and insisted that once the interest was there, Milan was always his preferred destination. In the same breath he described himself as a Liverpool boy at heart, someone who has always felt tied to the club and its history.
He also spoke about the moment he walked into Inter’s trophy room after signing, describing the sheer amount of silverware as almost unbelievable. He has promised to give everything to add to that collection.
A quiet start, but it is early
The opening weeks have been low key. Jones is back in partial training and has featured five times for Cristian Chivu’s side without a goal or an assist yet. Inter will not be fretting. They signed him for what he can bring across a full campaign, not for an instant splash.
From our side, there is no bitterness. Jones gave this club plenty, and he has gone looking for the starring role he never quite got here. If he finds it in Milan, Liverpool supporters should be the first to applaud.