John Stones, who acknowledged his pride at matching legendary Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand in Three Lions appearances, hopes to emulate Harry Kane and win 100 caps for England.
Stones still has two years left on his Manchester City deal, having turned thirty at the end of the last campaign. As they become older, some players decide to end their international careers, but it seems Stones is just concerned about earning a tonne of caps for his nation.
After his two appearances this month, he now has 81 England caps, matching former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson and Ferdinand. He has now stated his goal to add at least 19 more. If he continues to be in good shape, he may accomplish that goal around his 32nd birthday, during the 2026 World Cup.
Ten years after joining City from Everton in a transaction that made him one of the top centre-backs in the world, Stones’ contract with the club will expire in June 2026. Due to his late return to City following his final performance at Euro 2024, he has not been in the team from the beginning of the season.
However, he has begun his first match of the season and will be attempting to regain his spot for City. Though just two centre-backs have ever won more than his current 81 caps for the Three Lions, he wants to add his name to the list of players with 100 caps for England, regardless of what happens at the Etihad.
(One hundred caps?) Yes, absolutely,” Stones declared this week. “I never imagined I would collect 50 caps, but I hit 75, and it’s now 81, to watch Harry accomplish that. I recently learnt that I have caught up to Rio [Ferdinand]. Although it seems a bit strange to say, this is a huge accomplishment for me.
As one of the elder players on the team, he remarked, “I didn’t think I’d be saying this, but there are a lot of new and younger players in the squad, that’s good for me.” “I’ve been in their position, so I understand their battle and determination. When I joined the group for the first time, things were very different.
Stones acknowledged that the defeat in the Euro 2024 final was painful, particularly considering that England had lost the Euro 2020 final three years prior. However, he intends to use that to drive English football into the next phase following the departure of Gareth Southgate.
“It takes a while (to come to terms with),” he remarked. “It’s amazing to be in another final, and I genuinely thought we could pull it off.” I was immediately upset on an emotional level, followed by anger. I was angry with myself as a result.
“You always think you’re capable of more. “What if this took place? Could I do that? That is the only true feeling that comes from self-criticism. Not making it there, experiencing that pain once more. For me, it was challenging. I try not to think about the pain and sort of box it away. It’s profound. It’s difficult to see and take part in.”
