STONES: LET’S
Resurgent defender is ‘super proud’ of clean sheets
JOHN STONES admits he probably would not be in the England squad had this European Championship been played a year ago.
Centre-back Stones enjoyed a remarkable resurgence at Manchester City last season and regained his Three Lions place afterin nearly two years in the international wilderness.
He has been a cornerstone of Gareth Southgate’s back-line this summer, even beating Bobby Moore’s record of four clean sheets in a tournament by being ever-present in a defence that has produced five Euros shutouts.
Stones exuded new-found confidence as he spoke ahead of tomorrow’s final, but conceded the tournament being postponed by 12 months because of the pandemic has done him a huge favour.
“I couldn’t tell you,” said Stones when asked if he would have been picked a year ago. “Maybe not. I’m not sure. But I’m so glad to be here right now.
“I was made aware of the clean sheets record and what a new record to set! I’m a bit speechless about it and super proud. We’ve worked hard for it and it has clicked in this tournament, with the defensive mentality that I tried to bring from my season with City.
“We’ve gelled it together and it’s been an incredible six games so far. Obviously we conceded in the last game, but showed the mentality to bounce back from that.
“It’s something I’m very proud of.”
Stones found himself out in the cold at City and cast aside by England. Yet a determination to fight his way back, to never give up, has been rewarded this summer, and the 27-year-old has been faultless in this tournament. “All those times have made me who I am now,” he said. “I wish there was an easier route but that is football.
“In any walk of life you have setbacks, and I have tried to learn from them and stay positive and true to myself.
“On Sunday, if selected, it is a massive moment for me and my family. Especially going through tough times and things like that.
“All the hard work and dedication come into my mind and maybe I realise why I have worked so hard to be where I am right now – it is a proud moment. Hopefully I will start and experience what we have experienced already at Wembley with the fans.”
Stones insisted he is motivated by the chance to create history by leading England to their first major trophy since 1966.
But he also revealed England boss Southgate (the pair, left), so often painted as a mild-mannered and calm manager, even has his
moments when he loses his temper ahead of big games.
Stones added: “Yeah, definitely! He wouldn’t be human if he didn’t. As a manager – or as a person – you have got that side to you. You pick up on things when standards drop or you see something you don’t like. Gareth will do that.
“That is something you have to do when you are a manager. It’s about maintaining standards and, if we don’t do that, then he will be the first person to tell us. That is how we have created our team, our mentality.
“We have come so far as a team and made so many big steps, made a lot of history, and Sunday is another chance for us to do that.
“That motivates me, excites me, and really pushes me on.”