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Curtis Jones admits it feels “amazing” to be a European champion - and believes he delivered on his claim to use the tournament to prove his worth.
Jones was a key figure as England won the UEFA Under-21 European Championships for the first time in 39 years earlier this month.
The 22-year-old was man of the match in both the semi-final win over Israel and the final triumph over Spain
Before the competition, Jones - who was employed in a more defensive midfield role by Young Lions boss Lee Carsley - said he would use his last chance playing in the age group to “show I’m the one”
Jones said:
"I’d say so, yeah. There were lads like Ant (Anthony Gordon) who got player of the tournament, Morgan (Gibbs-White) who scored goals, Cameron (Archer) scored and Harvey (Elliott) scored a great goal.
“There were a lot of lads who played their part and were a big part of the team.
“I played in a different role and I played it well and was man of the match in the semi-finals and the final. It speaks for itself, I think.”
Jones reflected on his summer and said: “Being a European champion feels great."
“I’d been a part of it two years earlier when we went out in the groups. So to have the feeling of being there and not doing so well, to what me and the lads around me did second time around, we went there and put on a show.
“We didn’t concede a goal, the team was great and the camp was great. It feels amazing.”
Jones unwittingly netted the winner on the striker of half-time after a Cole Palmer free-kick struck him on the back and looped into the goal.
"At first I wasn’t even claiming it, if I’m honest,” he admitted. “Then I saw that it got changed on the scoreboard in the stadium!"
“A goal’s a goal. If they put it down as mine, I’ll take it!”
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