Jones’ new deal will be one of City’s best pieces of business
TYING DOWN DEFENDER IS SHREWD MOVE FOR NEXT SEASON
One of the best pieces of business Hull City will do this summer emerged on Wednesday afternoon, when it was confirmed Alfie Jones had agreed a new contract.
Jones was in the final year of his deal and though the club had the option of extending it by 12 months, they took the opportunity to renegotiate and tie the 25-year-old down for another three years, at least.
Few could argue that Jones was not worthy of vastly improved terms for what was another fine season at Championship level, coming on the back of a solid showing last term, and a terrific one in helping City get promoted from League One the year before.
Speak to those that have worked with Jones throughout his career and they’ll tell you what a good player he is, and how he has the potential to play in the Premier League.
Watching almost every performance that Jones has made since arriving from Southampton in the summer of 2020, it’s hard to argue with any suggestion that he’s a player destined for the top.
The challenge for Jones, now his long-term future has been assured, is to really take his game onto another level and become one of the best central defenders in the Championship.
While the likes of Charlie Taylor and Taylor Harwood-bellis have been promoted with Burnley, the likes of Dael Fry, Ben Cabango and
Ben Gibson remain, and Jones’ challenge is to force himself into that bracket, and if he does that, there’s a realistic chance City will be in the top echelons of the Championship, rather than the bottom.
There is no doubt that since Rosenior arrived as head coach,
Jones has looked an even better defender than he was before, and alongside Sean Mcloughlin, there’s a partnership there of real promise.
If City are to really make the jump to promotion contenders next season, then Jones, along with Mcloughlin, must be at the forefront of that challenge.