Thomas Tuchel is determined to stick with John Stones even after England’s defensive World Cup wobbles. England were brilliant going forward against Croatia in their Group opener but shipped two goals, raising major doubts about the back four. Stones, 32, was a big selection on Tuchel’s part as the England manager went for experience and quality over recent form.
Tuchel's faith remains unchanged
And yet Tuchel’s faith in Stones remains unchanged even after England’s defence appears to be the weakest link in this tournament. Incredibly, Stones only made five Premier League starts for Manchester City last season in a deeply frustrating campaign in which even the veteran centre-back admitted he began to question Pep Guardiola. Stones did start the final game of the season but is now a free agent because his City contract expired, with his former club Everton among the teams heavily linked with him.
But Stones did look rusty, he looked unfamiliar alongside Ezri Konsa while the nerves spread to the full-backs Reece James and Nico O’Reilly. Even keeper Jordan Pickford was not spared Tuchel’s hairdryer treatment and the Everton shot-stopper actually gave as good as he got as the pair had a very public shouting match on the pitch.
Defensive issues masked by attacking brilliance
There were problems in the defence which were masked by a brilliant second half display which will go down as one of the best in recent tournaments. This was a win over Croatia who are heavyweight opponents and were undoubtedly the hardest opponents in the group. But against even better teams, the defence will surely be tested further.
However, Tuchel’s message afterwards and his thinking remains the same: Stones is my main man. He certainly will not start every game but in the must-win games, he will get the nod. Tuchel wants England to play a different way, by playing out from the back, by drawing in opponents, playing round their press and creating spaces.
Stones essential to Tuchel's plan
They want to play in a very Premier League fashion and Tuchel is utterly convinced his players - including Pickford and Co - can do it. England fans better get ready to see their team playing out, playing round and then emulating the likes of Manchester City and the rest who have made it such an art form in the Premier League. Tuchel has spoken about wanting to play with the handbrake off but that also falls into the same ideology of playing out from the back to great effect. And at the heart of that is England’s best ball-playing centre-half, John Stones. Stones is seen by the England coaching staff as being absolutely essential to the plan.
Tuchel examined the game afterwards and analysed that Croatia had pushed onto Stones, stopped him from stepping up into midfield and restricted his passing. The fault was not with Stones but those around him for not providing angles, pushing forward themselves and not reacting quicker. Once they did that, it was problem solved and England were better in the second half.
Competition from Guehi
Stones will not play every game. He finished the game with cramp and that has to be a knock-on effect for his lack of minutes this season. There is some rustiness there. But Tuchel still believes in his defender. You can be certain there will be changes. There has been a big push for Marc Guehi to start the next game. However, Tuchel puts Stones in the world class category and therefore it is not a given that it will be him who drops out if there is a change. Tuchel likes Konsa’s physicality and reading of the game. Guehi appeared to do himself a power of good without starting in Dallas. But actually, Tuchel believes in Stones and Konsa and that first partnership may be telling. Guehi provides brilliant competition and a different option. But no-one in the squad, at least in Tuchel’s eyes, can do what Stones can do.
