ENGLISH ROCK STONES LEFT IN A HARD PLACE BY BIT-PART ROLE FOR PEP

DEFENSIVE linchpin for his country but a peripheral figure at club level, John Stones is in an unusual situation. The Manchester City defender is virtually guaranteed to start in England’s World Cup opener against Tunisia on June 18, his excellent display against Holland on Friday underlining his growing importance given Gareth Southgate’s philosophy of playing out from the back. His passing in Amsterdam was crisp and intelligent. His adeptness at stepping out of the back three and into midfield a growing feature of England’s play under Southgate. Make no mistake, Stones is one of Southgate’s key men going into Russia. So how is it a player so important to England’s present and future is fast becoming a bit-part player for Manchester City? When Stones arrived at City in a deal worth £47.5million ahead of last season, it rubber-stamped his standing as one of Europe’s best emerging footballing central defenders. Finally, a player of our own we could speak of in the same breath as Spain’s Gerard Pique or Germany’s Mats Hummels. But when Stones returns to the control of Pep Guardiola on Wednesday, England’s most accomplished centre back will be reduced to his peripheral role. There’s no argument that

Stones is one of Southgate’s go-to guys. But, worryingly, there is an emerging fear that Stones is fast becoming an afterthought for Guardiola. The 23-year-old has started only three Premier League games since the turn of the year. Nicolas Otamendi, Vincent Kompany and January signing Aymeric Laporte have shouldered the brunt of City’s central defensive duties. Prior to a hamstring injury in November, Stones had been a regular in the Catalan’s table-topping side. ‘It’s difficult (not playing regularly),’ said Stones. ‘Every player wants to play week in, week out. ‘But I’ve had games here and there. I’ve been fighting and that’s all you can do. ‘Train hard, keep working hard and, when your chance comes you’ve got to take it and that’s what I’ve done. I’ve stayed positive. I’ve had the players’ backing and the manager’s backing. It’s one of those things where the team’s winning games and playing well and you can’t get back in just like that. I’ve got to keep working hard and that’s what I’ve been doing. ‘I’m still learning while I’m on the sidelines, that’s a massive thing. ‘It’s tough but I’ve got my first medal (in the Carabao Cup) so I can’t complain. ‘I think it’s difficult for everyone really. I’ve got to do my job at City and, as I said, I’ve got to take my chance when it comes and Gareth is watching.’ There are growing similarities in the footballing philosophy that Guardiola has imprinted on his champions-elect at City and the one Southgate is trying to nurture with England. Stones believes the parallels will certainly help England’s World Cup cause in Russia. ‘It helps the transition, I think we’ve got the players to play out from the back,’ added Stones. ‘Players do it at their clubs so it’s not a massive difference for us when we come here. ‘That’s a big thing. If you’re trying to change everyone’s style of play, it’s not going to happen. ‘It’s difficult, it’s the top level, you’re playing for England. ‘It’s good every team play a similar type of football and we come here and it gels together. ‘The manager picks his players knowing what he wants and he picks his players wisely.’