Manchester City star John Stones has been there and done it at the highest level – and England won’t win the World Cup next summer without him.
Jeremy joined the Daily Star in 2010 as Manchester football correspondent and has been chief sports writer for over 10 years. He provides expert coverage of Manchester United and Manchester City, the entire Premier League and English football teams. Jeremy has covered Wimbledon, golf majors and the Olympics, as well as the soccer, rugby and cricket World Cups.
It wasn’t John Stones’ toughest night yet. England were very happy with their victory over Wales.
But the fact that Stones has had some of the more difficult nights in his 10-year career with England and Manchester City means Thomas Tuchel must ensure he leads the Three Lions’ defense next summer. They are expected to reach the final stage when England play in the final next summer. It is expected that he will take on the challenge of winning a major prize.
And it’s a place where Stones has found himself time and time again, both for club and country. We all know how much he won at the Etihad as a trusted mainstay under Pep Guardiola. However, his performance in major finals in England is not bad either.
read more: John Stones makes decision on Man City future when contract expires next summerread more: Man City winners and losers as Josep Guardiola signs new contract to stay in Premier League
Stones was a constant presence in England’s squad from start to finish as they reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. At the ensuing European Championship, he started all seven games, and England conceded just two goals before losing on penalties to Italy in the final.
And when England reached the final of Euro 2024, Stones was once again immortalized.
Stones was an invaluable asset to Gareth Southgate throughout his time as England manager. And when asked to step up against the best teams, he did just that.
For much of his career, Stones has been labeled a ‘Rolls Royce’ defender, much like Rio Ferdinand before him. Sadly, his career also had some low points due to severe injuries.
Yet the Stones always returned to the highest level. And when he was not at both City and England, we missed his class on the ball, his ability to anticipate things, his ability to read what was going to happen. As Tuchel discovered at St George’s Park, he is a leader.
Of course, further injuries prevented the start of the new season. He has started just five games for City so far. But Tuchel still chose him. He knows that as good as the other members of Thursday night’s back four – Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Jed Spence – lack the big match experience of Stones.
That trio, players like Miles Lewis-Skelly and even Newcastle’s veteran defender Dan Byrne, who was an unused substitute on Thursday night, will benefit from having Stones in the squad. It’s not like that now, but we’re in a false war. However, he will be indispensable in next summer’s fierce competition.
It hasn’t been an easy 12 months for Stones, who revealed last week that he almost quit playing football last season after missing 30 games during the season. Thankfully, he chose not to.
Because England’s best chance of World Cup glory in 2026 is with John Stones healthy and leading from the back.
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