Manchester City made history last term as they won the Premier League title for the fourth season in a row.
Pep Guardiola’s charges have won the title in six of the last seven seasons, with only Liverpool breaking that streak back in 2020.
One of Manchester City’s key players in this era has been John Stones, one of the most integral elements of the team over the past eight years.
Since joining the Citizens in 2016, the 30-year-old has made 257 appearances for Guardiola’s high-flying charges.
Stones has lifted all of those six Premier League titles, plus the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup and numerous domestic clubs.
The former Everton and Barnsley ace is also a key player for England, with 75 caps and five major tournaments under his belt.
At times, it still doesn’t feel like Stones gets the credit his deserves, but now he has received some very high praise from one of the best strikers in the world.
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Harry Kane says Manchester City’s John Stones is the toughest defender in England training
Bayern Munich striker and England captain Harry Kane has told the England YouTube channel that Stones is the toughest defender he has dealt with in international training.
The former Tottenham man also believes that some underestimate how good his Euro 2024 colleague actually is, and that “many strikers across many leagues” can vouch for him.
“I’ll probably say Stones, to be honest,” Kane said, when asked who he thinks is the toughest defensive opponent in the England training camp.
“I think Stones is really clever. Of course everyone knows how good he is on the ball, under pressure and playing.
“But maybe I think some people underestimate how good he is in reading the game and blocking shots, getting his body on the line, when to be aggressive, when to give space.
“I think he’s grown in that as he’s got more and more experience as well, he’s got better and better.
“Obviously I’ve known Stones a long time as well, but yeah, I’d say he’s the toughest one I play with, for sure.
“I’m sure many, many strikers across many leagues will attest to that.”
Just a few weeks ago, Jermaine Pennant claimed that Stones is not only a better defender than Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes, but a better player overall.
Stones will hope for England glory alongside Manchester City triumphs
Stones has won everything there is to win from an English club’s perspective, but a major international trophy has eluded the Three Lions for close to 60 years.
However, there are promising signs that England can finally put an end to their 58-year trophy drought.
The Three Lions reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and were just a penalty shootout away from winning Euro 2024.
Now, with arguably the strongest squad England have had in years, there’s certainly scope for them to go all the way this year.