Stones ready to captain England despite Manchester City frustrations

Yesterday at 05:30 PM

Veteran defender has started only three games for his club this term but says he is prepared to perform against Greece

John Stones is talking about control, what he can and cannot bend to the force of his talent and will, and there are plenty of things at Manchester City right now that fit squarely into the latter category.

It is an unsettling time for the club where Stones has practically become part of the furniture, with the charges brought against them by the Premier League, the conflict over associated party transactions (APT), the open hostility on both sides. Meanwhile the director of football, Txiki Begiristain, is poised to leave at the end of the season, which could have implications for the future of the manager, Pep Guardiola. Yes, there is that, too.