John Stones, England, Thomas Tuchel, Manchester City
15 June 2026
John Stones says he had to dig deep after injuries left him considering retirement, but he is now in line to start England’s World Cup opener against Croatia. Thomas Tuchel still views the defender as a key squad figure.
Stones played only 439 Premier League minutes last season and missed England’s warm-up matches with a calf issue, but Tuchel picked him ahead of other centre-backs. His experience could matter if England want stability early.