Inter new signing Jones praises debut and coach Chivu after opening match
Quick summary
New Inter Milan signing Jones gave positive early impressions after his first match, praising coach Cristian Chivu as 'one of us' and describing the game as great.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceInter summer arrival Curtis Jones praised the team’s relentless fighting spirit and paid tribute to head coach Cristian Chivu following the Nerazzurri’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Napoli at the San Siro on Saturday.
The English midfielder came on as a second-half substitute to help turn the tide after Inter fell 2-0 behind, making a immediate impression with his energy in the middle of the park.
Speaking to reporters in his post-match press conference, Jones reflected on his early adaptation to Italian football.
“It was a great match, we never gave up,” Jones said, via FCInterNews . “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.”
Addressing his experience on the big stage, the former Liverpool midfielder added: “I just want to be part of the team and show everyone that I can help. Playing in the Premier League and Champions League has given me experience that I want to put at the team’s disposal. I hope to play against Madrid on Tuesday.”
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Curtis Jones of Internazionale (L) acknowledges the fans after the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) Inter 3-2 Napoli – Jones hits back at ‘boring’ Serie A stereotype Jones also pushed back on common stereotypes regarding the quality and style of football in Serie A compared to England:
“Some people say Serie A is boring and the Premier League isn’t, but you didn’t see that today. 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.”
Speaking afterwards to DAZN, Jones opened up on his relationship with Chivu and what convinced him to make the move to Milan :
“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,” Jones explained. “It’s the small things he says, things that might seem minor but end up having a massive impact. Plus, he has immense experience and played at the highest level himself.
“He’s managed the squad brilliantly. He’s ‘one of us,’ and to me, that’s fundamental. He’s passionate and deeply loves this game, just like I do. That’s why he’s leading a club like this, and he’s doing a fantastic job.”
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Curtis Jones of Internazionale controls the ball under pressure from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Napoli during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) To cap off his post-match duties, the midfielder offered a quick glimpse into his language lessons, signing off with a smiling “Molto bene, grazie!”
Source attribution: this article content is based on the linked publisher feed/source. Chance adds independent soccer context, impact analysis, entity links, and related news.
What happened
Following his debut for Inter Milan, new arrival Jones shared enthusiastic comments about his first experience at the club, specifically highlighting the atmosphere and his new coach Cristian Chivu. The midfielder described the match as 'a great match' and expressed that Chivu feels like 'one of us,' suggesting a smooth integration into the squad. This kind of early positive sentiment from a new signing points to good dressing-room chemistry and a player who has quickly bought into the coach's project ahead of a demanding campaign.
Chance analysis
New signings tend to speak warmly in their first days, but Jones's explicit alignment with Cristian Chivu carries weight: it signals a locker room that has already embraced the new coach's methods, something that often takes weeks to settle. For Inter, who are navigating a transition with Chivu at the helm, having a recent arrival publicly endorse the project helps stabilize the narrative around the new cycle. It is a small but useful indicator that the squad is moving in one direction rather than splintering around the coaching change.
Boosts Inter's cohesion narrative under Chivu and suggests Jones could feature prominently as the new project takes shape.