I will watch all our matches again to learn, says Stones

in St Petersburg

John Stones plans to spend part of his holidays watching reruns of each of England’s World Cup games to make sure he returns to Manchester City an even better player.

Along with Jordan Pickford, Kieran Trippier and Jordan Henderson, central-defender Stones was one of England’s players of the tournament, but the 24-year-old is not intending to put his feet up and insists he will be ready to play in City’s Community Shield game against Chelsea at Wembley on Aug 5.

“I will watch all the [England] games back in my own time, what we did at both ends of the pitch,” he said. “I think it is always good to self-analyse, be self-critical. It is the only way you are going to get better, by studying those situations where you may have fallen short.

“I’m going to go back in for the first game against Chelsea in the Community Shield. I just want to keep the momentum going. I will have two and a bit, maybe three weeks off. I will just make sure I am fighting fit for the new season. Now it is about keeping improving. I feel I’ve improved as a person and a footballer over the last few weeks on the biggest stage in the world.”

The contrast between this World Cup and the European Championship two years ago could not be more stark for Stones. Two years ago, he did not play a single minute in France, but he started every game in Russia.

“It was a difficult tournament in France,” he said, “and I know how the boys who don’t get much game time feel. For me, to play seven games and reach the semi-final is a great record which I’m proud of. I felt like I’ve expressed myself, tried to bring everything to the table. I can honestly say I gave it my all.”