Jordan Jones (Getty Images)
Jordan Jones plays as a left-midfielder, as a left-winger and also as a secondary striker for Scotland Premier League side Kilmarnock. In November last year, the 23-year-old Middlesbrough-born youngster played his way to a Northern Ireland call-up, making his debut in the second leg of their play-off against Switzerland.
A 0-0 draw wasn’t enough for Northern Ireland who failed to qualify but Jones was a creative speedster in the side. He wore the iconic jersey No.7 that was once worn by George Best.
The Middlesbrough graduate, who spent 14 years at Riverside Stadium, has made 78 appearances for Kilmarnock in the last two seasons, scoring 7 goals and assisting a further 5 goals. For a side that is very strong in counter-attacks, Jones’ speed and trickery would augur well with Derby County’s tactics.
Last season, Jordan Jones scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists in the league. These statistics were achieved in 2440 minutes of football, during which he started 32 times. Mainly deployed as a left-midfielder, Jones would fit in as one of Derby’s three attack-minded midfielders playing behind the striker and in front of a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Jordan can play on the left or at the tip of the diamond in a formation that Derby used 40 times last season.
Jordan has definitely matured from the player who failed to make the cut at Riverside Stadium during his stay in the first team set-up, managing a single appearance at Boro in between loan spells at Hartlepool United and Cambridge United in League Two. Last season, Jordan Jones averaged 0.11 goals per match in club competitions. In 2016/17, Jones achieved an average of 0.08 goals per game as he registered 3 goals in 38 games for Kilmarnock.
Derby need as much firepower and creativity as they can if they are to avoid last season’s heartbreak of going out in the promotion playoffs and Jones would offer more dynamism and alternatives going forward. If Derby are to improve on last season’s accomplishments, they should take the gamble and sign Jones in order to avoid the 12-game winless stretch that saw The Rams lose momentum during the run in.
The Middlesbrough flop might just be the man needed to fire Derby County to the Premier League after they narrowly missed out on promotion last campaign. Go all out Derby!
