England and the search for a ‘winning mentality’

For all the talk of squad selections and snubs, there is only one thing that really matters in a tournament year: winning.

England know that as well as any team with the rearranged European Championships now just a matter of months away.

Qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup are next on the agenda for Gareth Southgate's side with games against San Marino, Albania and Poland coming up over the next week.

Memories of falling at the penultimate hurdle will still be all too fresh in the minds of those who played in Russia in 2018 with the goal of going all the way this time around paramount in this group’s thinking.

Those mental scars are as important to overcome as any physical failings with England’s inability to get over the line on the biggest stage etched into the psyche of generations of the country’s very best.

The squad's Manchester City contingent know a thing or two about winning of course, with John Stones, Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden heading into the international break top of the Premier League and still in the hunt for four trophies before the season is out.

"Definitely," Stones replied when asked if winning a quadruple would be the perfect preparation for international duties this summer. "I'd love everyone to be coming in camp after winning something but that's not possible.

"But that winning mentality that if we can bring that into the England squad it would be invaluable I think.

"For the experience that we've been through in tournaments, especially the last World Cup that we had and how successful - I know it wasn't successful as in winning - but successful in how we played, how far we got and how we changed the nation's view on us in tournament football.

"So, I think it would be massive for us if we can keep pushing and keep fighting until the end of the season and see what happens. But definitely the keyword is that winning mentality and us bringing it to the England squad, as I said, would be invaluable."

The outlook for Stones looked a lot less rosy at the start of the season with indifferent form and the big-money arrival of Ruben Dias in central defence seemingly signalling the end of his time in Manchester.

But instead of being replaced by the Portuguese, a watertight partnership alongside him has spurred Stones back to the peak of his powers with a first recall to the national team since November 2019 now his reward.

"It was very tough and I think it would be the same for everyone," he said of his extended absence. "It was difficult watching from home. You feel a bit helpless that you can't contribute and be a part of the squad, but I used it as a motivation to strive to be better.

"When I got the text the other day, it was a great feeling to be back involved and see all the faces I've got some great memories with.

"I was very nervous. I had worked so hard and I was hearing people say, 'You should be in'. But I didn't take any of that in until the text arrived. I wanted to hear from the source. I was absolutely made up."

The 26-year-old looks set to be a key figure both over the next three games and the summer as Southgate experiments with what system and personnel to deploy when the finals finally begin June.

open image in gallery

Even through the low moments Stones' own self-belief has never wavered, something the culture at City has helped maintain.

"I believe that as a club and a whole organisation we need to keep evolving and striving to be better," he added.

"Those players [Dias] coming in - and taking nothing away from them and how well they have done - it was added motivation to step up and prove my worth.

"I went away and did all the things that I needed to do. As a player, you can never rest when things are easy - everything is a challenge."

On his England recall, Stones added: "I think I wanted to prove it to myself more than anyone else. Proving to myself was more satisfying to do.

"To go out there and show people, you have got an added pressure but the person I am trying to do it for - or prove to - is myself and that is the most satisfying thing."