Defender out to make up for his Euros heartache

JOHN STONES looks back on Euro 2016 as his lost tournament – The French Disconnection.

While the nation winces at the memory of England’s humiliating exit to Iceland, for Stones the emotions were jumbled.

Having missed the cut, despite being in Roy Hodgson’s initial 28-man squad for the World Cup campaign in Brazil four years ago, Stones was hopeful of a prominent role at the European Championships in France.

But it didn’t happen.

The then Everton defender was confined to bench duty, making him all the more determined to put on a good show in Russia.

“It’s been kind of out of control,” said the Manchester City star about his roller-coaster career. “Like the Euros. That was disappointing. I went to the tournament having played two warm-up games and I knew what I could bring to the team.

“But it was difficult. However long we were out there, Ross Barkley and I didn’t get a second on the pitch. That is a tournament I can never get back.

“There’s all sorts of ways I can look at it. I can be negative and start pointing the finger and blaming people.

“But I would never do that. I’ve got to think, ‘How can I bring that experience into this tournament?’. I’ve got to use it as motivationand to know how teammates feel when they are not playing.” Despite being a Premier League champion, Stones’ club campaign didn’t exactly go to plan, especially during the second half of the season when injuries meant he struggled to regain his place.

It even led to speculation that he could miss out on Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Restricted to just 18 league games, he is still proud of his contribution to City’s title triumph.

“People can get sidetracked with the here and now and don’t realise how well we set the platform at the start of the season,” he said.

“I was a big part of that and feel very proud to be part of it.

Injured

“It was very upsetting when I got injured and then I came away with England and got injured again. Then I was concussed, was ill and got injured again.

“It was like a chain effect but I finished off the season well, playing in the last two games.

“Was I worried I wouldn’t make the squad? No. I just thought whatever happens, happens.”

Stones insists he is a far better player now than two years ago and cites Pep Guardiola as a major reason behind his upward curve.

“He makes everything so simple and has taken my footballing brain to another level,” said Stones.

“I’ll speak to him during the tournament. He’s very open and said we can call or text him whenever – 24 hours a day – which is brilliant of him.”

Stones added: “I never thought I would play in a World Cup. As I said, the Euros was a tournament I won’t get back. So I’ve got to make every opportunity count.”