Alfie Jones hopes tonight’s clash with Chelsea can show how far he’s come since making his first Southampton Under-21s start against the Blues earlier in the season.
Jones made his first of the season for Martin Hunter’s side against Chelsea in the Under-21 Premier League Cup win back in early January.
The defender has not looked back since – starting every game for Hunter’s side while also training with Ronald Koeman’s first team ahead of their game against Swansea City.
Speaking to youtube.com/southamptonfc, Jones was thrilled with how things have gone since his start against Chelsea.
“I’ve been delighted to get starts for the Under-21s. It was one of my goals. Now I’m just looking to push on and keep performing at a good level,” he said.
“I’ve just been trying to play my own game and not doing anything too different. I just try to keep things simple.
“A big part of my performances is knowing the coaches are confident in me. I think that’s one of the reasons that I’m doing well. It has given me confidence.
“Training with the first team was a good experience, it was much harder. I’m looking to do that more and more. That’s my goal – to train there more often and progress into the first team.”
Despite being the least experienced in that first game against Chelsea, Jones could well be the most senior defender against the Blues at St Mary’s this time around.
“It has been a young back four in recent games, but it has been a good test for us all,” he added.
“We’re looking to learn from that. We’ve been playing together in the Under-18s so we have a bit of experience together, but it’s good that young players are gaining this experience.”
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