England confirmed their 26-man squad for their upcoming internationals against San Marino, Albania and Poland, and John Stones was a notable inclusion. The 26-year-old has made 39 caps for the Three Lions but hadn’t featured since 2019 after being dropped by Gareth Southgate.
Stones is back in the fold, however, and could be thrown back into the starting eleven after his fantastic form at club level. Fans were unsurprisingly delighted with the news and took to social media to give their support to the defender.
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Buzzing for Stones! Go on lad! Well deserved
— Kriss Magill (@KMagill7) March 18, 2021
Well deserved!! The best thing about stones is his attitude!!, man kept his cool and worked his way back … Respect
— TheConsigliere (@charleymidas) March 18, 2021
Happy for John Stones and Jesse Lingard. They are deservedly back in the England fold after some tough times
— JESSICA BLACK (@itsjessinho) March 18, 2021
Delighted for John Stones pic.twitter.com/Jlp0J5TmDt
— π (@Pep_Era) March 18, 2021
John Stones has been phenomenal this season, especially being paired with Dias, however I wonder how he's gonna fair paired up with Maguire and possibly Walker in a back 3. Hoping that City like defense holds strong with the 3 lions, Rice can be that key man to glue them though.
— Jason Carelse (@JasonC2612) March 18, 2021
so happy for stones
— Lewis🏴 (@Thebigkun) March 18, 2021
STONES GETTT INNNNN
— Moe🥢 (@mcfcmoee) March 18, 2021
Stones has made 26 appearances in all competitions this season and has been on the winning team 23 times. The 26-year-old has conceded only seven goals and has helped City keep an impressive 20 clean sheets, so he’s been a fantastic omen at the back (Transfermarkt).
In 18 Premier League games, Stones has won 31/49 aerial duels, had 5/6 successful dribbles, blocked 22 shots/passes/crosses, made 43 clearances, given away only five fouls, made 16 interceptions, has been dribbled past only five times and made 15 tackles (WhoScored).
His call-up is more than deserving as he’s been the best English defender this season, so Stones’ international career has been resurrected. Fans will be hoping he can continue his club form when he puts on the Three Lions shirt.
In other news, some fans react to Man City’s ‘very interesting’ Champions League draw