Jude Bellingham’s exceptional performances have been a bit bittersweet to watch for Liverpool fans. The Real Madrid star was on Liverpool’s radar for years before they finally decided to pull out.
However, in the end Liverpool cannot rue their decision. Even though Bellingham is impressing for Real Madrid, the Reds were able to get Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister for around the same price. That isn’t a bad compromise at all.
On top of that some of the Reds’ other midfielders have also elevated their performances this season. Curtis Jones is one of them. He has emerged as one of the leading players in Europe this season.
Only Jude Bellingham has better numbers than the Liverpool youngster
Looking at English midfielders who have played at least 900 minutes in all competitions from Europe’s top five leagues, Curtis Jones stands out. He currently has the second most non-penalty goal contributions per 90 with an average of 0.51. Only Jude Bellingham, who is on a different level this season, is better than the Liverpool midfielder with a return of 1.08 per 90.
Closely behind Jones is James Ward-Prowse of West Ham with 0.50. Meanwhile, although Cole Palmer has 0.71 non-penalty goal contributions per 90, he has been excluded because he has predominantly played as a winger for Chelsea this season.
England’s midfield looks set for the years to come
While Bellingham has been in the spotlight for a few years now, the Liverpool youngster has gone under the radar. Even last season, when the Reds were struggling, Jones was one of their better players. At just 20 and 22 years of age respectively, Jude and Curtis could run the midfield of the England national team for years to come.
Alongside these two, England also boasts of youngsters like Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo, etc. All of them are still young, and one would assume that they will only get better in the years to come. The future of England’s midfield in particular certainly looks bright.
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