SET IN STONE
City regular or not, Young Lion John is first name on Southgate’s teamsheet
JOHN STONES feared he would be left watching the World Cup on TV instead of starring at the heart of England’s new-look back three.
The defender knew that boss Gareth Southgate was threatening not to pick any players who were not featuring for their clubs – and he had not been a regular for Manchester City.
So Stones called Southgate to find out if he might be set for the chop, without realising he was about to become the Three Lions manager’s Mr Indispensable.
Stones said: “I spoke to Gareth and there were some little injuries and things that weren’t said in public.
“That’s why I wasn’t in the City squad as much. Gareth’s shown a lot of faith in me. I can’t express enough how thankful I am for that.”
In fact, in the past three months Stones is the only player to have started all five England games and has played more minutes for England (408) than he has for City (163).
He is also the only player Southgate invited into the final 23 for Russia who was not playing regularly at club level, such is his regard for the 24-year-old who has become England’s defensive kingpin in this tournament.
Stones added:
“Sometimes you’re in difficult spots as players where form’s not right and he has a difficult decision to make – should I play him or not?
“He knows us well enough by now, our characters, individually they’re all different. It’s down to him.
“I thought if I stay true to myself and make sure I put in the work and come to England if selected and fight for a spot, I’ve done all I can.
“And if I don’t get selected, me and Gareth will have that conversation and he’ll be honest with me because he’s that type of person. I can hold my head high and say I did everything to put myself in the best situation.
“I wanted to make sure I was right to fight for my spot at City and I never took my place for granted in the England team. I never will think like that. I knew I had to fight right until the end, even though some people may say different. I think if you’ve got that mentality of fighting for your place and fighting to improve then you know you can be clear with yourself that you’ve done everything you can.
“You’ve not rested on your previous game, or been sloppy in training and thought, ‘Oh I’m going to get in the team’. It doesn’t happen like that.”
Four years ago, Stones was on standby for the World Cup squad and even went to the pre-tournament training camp in Miami only to miss the cut. But he has kicked on since then by winning the title at City.
Stones, who is ready for any of Panama’s tough tactics, said: “Watching it at home made me realise how much clearer it is for me to get my points across and make sure the things I’ve seen and done don’t happen in this World Cup.
“I never thought I got bullied or pushed off the ball. If you put me up against Andy Carroll I’m never going to beat him in a fight so I’ve got to use my brain. Players that want to be in a physical combat, you’ve not got to give them that.
“I remember playing against Diego Costa and he wants to wind you up and kinda get into your head.
“A few times I’ve played against players like that. You have to beat them mentally and not play them at their own game.
“I am enjoying myself. I want to step into the challenge and try to bring what I can to the team.
“The boys all know what I can do, and vice versa, from that central position.”