Leeds United are targeting Coventry City’s hugely exciting youngster Jodi Jones.
The first word that will come into your head when you see Coventry City winger Jodi Jones in action is ‘raw’.
The 20-year-old is a player of huge promise and skill. On his day, he is one of the most exhilarating young players in the Football League, blessed with the ability to glide past opponents, find the net from ridiculous ankles and pull off tricks more at home in FIFA Street than League Two turf.
And while Jones departed on a stretcher just after the hour, bringing a bitter end to what looked like a night of real promise for the youngster, you can expect that Leeds will be at the front of the queue for his signature if he is not ruled out for an extended period.
But, as Coventry boss Mark Robins is keen to point out, the former Dagenham and Redbridge starlet is far from the finished article – despite his undoubted potential.
“There are still things for him to work on, and he knows that,” the Sky Blues boss told the Coventry Telegraph in September. “But he’s getting better; he’s asking questions all the time, the right questions, and coming out of his shell so that’s good.
“I just want him to start hitting that right pass.”
Robins has a point. When Jones is on form, he can look unstoppable – as Notts County found out when he netted a thrilling hat-trick against them on the opening day of the season.
But, like almost all young wingers, Jones tends to thrill and frustrate in equal measure. For every sublime goal or mesmeric piece of skill, there is a wild swipe or an ill-fated dribble down a cul-de-sac.
Jones has a long way to go before he is ready to play in the Championship. So if Leeds do win the race, would it be the worst idea to send him back to the Ricoh Arena on loan?
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