GOOD TO BE BACK
STONES ADMITS HE FOUND IT TOUGH TO WATCH ENGLAND ON THE BOX
JOHN STONES has revealed how difficult it was to watch England play while he was out of the international set-up and is relishing being around his 2018 World Cup team-mates again.
The defender fell out of favour with club and country in 2019 but has since revived his Manchester City career as Pep Guardiola’s team chase an unprecedented Quadruple, starring this season alongside new central-defensive partner Ruben Dias.
Stones’ last England cap was back in November 2019 against Montenegro but he has been called up by boss Gareth Southgate for this month’s three World
Cup qualifiers. With San Marino first up at Wembley tomorrow, Stones admits he endured some hard times having to watch England games on television.
‘It was, very tough,’ said the 26year-old Yorkshireman. ‘I think it would be the same for anyone.
‘It’s difficult watching from home, you’re a bit helpless, not being able to contribute or be part of the squad. I used it as a motivation to be better.
‘When I got the call the other day, it was a great feeling to be back involved and see the faces that I have great memories with.’
As with Stones, Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw, City colleague Kyle Walker, on-loan West Ham midfielder Jesse Lingard and Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier have been in the international wilderness at points since Russia 2018, where Southgate’s side reached the semi-finals.
Stones believes they have all gone away and worked on their game to put themselves in a position to don the Three Lions jersey again at this summer’s delayed European Championship.
‘It shows the character of the players, the desire to strive to come back to this set-up and the quality as well,’ he added.
‘Those games we all played in played a major part in a player’s character. It’s credit to us all for stepping up, changing things, evolving into who we are today and having that passion to be back in an England shirt.’
And Stones revealed proving people wrong was not his priority. ‘It was about proving it to myself more than anyone else,’ he insisted. ‘That was more satisfying than to go and show people.’
It’s difficult watching England from home, you feel a bit helpless