Stones resurgence the key for Gareth
JAMIE REDKNAPP believes John Stones is the gift that can keep on giving for England this summer.
Sky pundit Redknapp has picked his England starting XI for the Euros and says he does not envy Gareth Southgate’s job.
But former England midfielder Redknapp says Manchester City defender Stones’ resurgence is key.
“John Stones has been the gift that Gareth needed,” he said. “He’s solved so many problems because he’s so calm.
“In football terms he’s come back from the dead. He didn’t look to have a future at Man City, but now he looks one of the best defenders in Europe.
“Playing with Ruben Dias has helped so much. John’s gone back to basics.
“Modern-day defending went through a phase of being all about what you did on the ball. But if you look at someone likeVirgil van Dijk or Dias, they also know when to clear it.
“There can be no doubt when they signed Dias they signed him to play with Aymeric Laporte.”
Redknapp played at Euro 96 as England reached the semifinals and Southgate will be desperate to go one step further.
The wing-backs are key in the 3-4-3 system and Redknapp insists Trent AlexanderArnold is world class but it could be Reece James who gets in ahead of him purely on form. Jordan Henderson would also be a guaranteed starter but, again, may be struggling to be fit in time for the Euros.
Redknapp said: “If you’d have said a year ago that Trent wouldn’t even be in the squad, people would think you were mad. If Trent thinks he’s playing well, then he’s reading it wrong.
“We played a back three at Euro 96 and Kyle Walker is another big call because he’s a right-back at right-centre half.And yet we made it work.”
Southgate’s biggest decision by far, according to Redknapp, is who plays alongside Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling in the front three. “Gareth will probably go with Marcus Rashford,” he said. “But the fans want Jack Grealish. People want to see a Paul Gascoigne.” ●Jamie Redknapp is launching one million hours of McDonald’s Fun Football sessions for kids as grassroots football returns across England. To find your nearest session go to mcdonalds. co.uk/football