Football fans are very excited about Liverpool's Curtis Jones with Gary Lineker singing his praises, while one journalist has suggested the 19-year-old is already the best English midfielder in the Premier League.
"What a lovely footballer Curtis Jones is. Gonna be a helluva player," tweeted Lineker after Jones's superb display in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Tottenham on Wednesday.
The teenager, who made his debut for Liverpool last year, was playing only his 14th league game for the Reds. However his performance was so stylish that he won the Man of the Match award - and his personal highlight reel was soon being shared across social media.
Despite his lack of experience, it seems only a matter of time before Gareth Southgate calls the England Under-21 international up to the senior squad. And Mirror football journalist David Maddock has asked if Jones might - even now - be the best option the England boss has.
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"Reluctant to even say this, but is there a better English midfielder in the Premier League than Curtis Jones right now?" tweeted Maddock.
"Henderson's knowledge and leadership puts him ahead obviously, but in terms of all-round ability? Think he walks into Southgate's squad on current form."
It's an interesting question. Southgate is oversupplied in certain areas such as attacking talent with Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and others at his disposal. He also has about a hundred right-backs.
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However true central midfielders - especially if we're counting Jack Grealish as an attacking option - are trickier to come by.
There's Liverpool captain Henderson, Declan Rice, Mason Mount and Harry Winks. Plus 20-year-old Phil Foden, who Manchester City fans might point out is already shining for the Three Lions having scored twice against Iceland in November.
But with Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham getting a call up at age 17, it's not a ridiculous shout to suggest Jones deserves a chance in the starting XI. Especially if he continues to excel for Jurgen Klopp's champions.
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"Definitely modelled himself on Steven Gerrard. He's a special young talent," came one reply on Twitter.
"As much as I'm enjoying his rise, let's just put the brakes on the hype," cautioned another football fan. "The English media are notorious for bigging up players too soon and then tearing them down soon after."
Is Curtis Jones already turning into the Premier League's best English midfielder? Let us know in the comments.
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All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Curtis Jones, Football, Premier League, England
