John Stones is ‘growing in stature and has made a ‘massive improvement’, insists Martin Keown
Keown says Manchester City defender is now a shoe-in for England... 'Gareth Southgate now, he's got to pick Stones'
JOHN STONES is "getting better every game", according to former England central defender Martin Keown.
Not only does the previously much maligned Stones boast the best pass completion percentage in the Premier League, he's now beginning to wow Europe.
Stones scored in Manchester City's impressive 4-2 Champions League win at Napoli.
And he gave a very assured display at the back, too.
Said pundit Keown: "Stones is growing in stature and, in both penalty boxes now.
"He's made a massive improvement at what he does.
"It was a really dominant display from him, he's getting better every game.
"Gareth Southgate now, he's got to pick Stones.
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"If you get into the Man City team you get into the England team - it's almost a given."
Former City captain Richard Dunne was equally upbeat in his praise of Stones.
Dunne, also an international centre-back with the Repubic of Ireland, said:
"Last year he was judged as £40-£50million defender instead of a 23-year-old centre half, who won't mature for a couple more years.
"But he's getting there."
Jermaine Jenas was another impressed by Stones improvement and mental strength.
He said: "With Stones the spotlight is always on him. The media have a love-hate relationship with the way that he plays.
"He's been criticised for the risks he takes, a lot. What we're seeing is the fruits of those risks, because he's maintained his confidence.
"If a coach would have knocked that confidence out of him, he'd just be going long."
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