Tuchel backs Stones to start again despite defensive wobbles in England's Croatia win

Thomas Tuchel is standing firm on John Stones as England’s starting centre-back for their second World Cup 2026 group game against Ghana, despite a shaky defensive display in the opening 2026 tournament win over Croatia.

England were impressive in attack against Croatia but conceded twice, with Stones — who managed just five Premier League starts for Manchester City last season — looking visibly rusty alongside Ezri Konsa. The nerves appeared to spread to full-backs Reece James and Nico O’Reilly, and even goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was involved in a very public on-pitch shouting match with Tuchel.

Yet the England head coach’s assessment after the game was unambiguous: Stones remains central to his plans. Tuchel’s system is built around playing out from the back, drawing opponents in and exploiting the spaces that creates — and Stones, regarded by the England coaching staff as the squad’s best ball-playing centre-back, is seen as essential to making that work.

Croatia actively targeted Stones, pressing him to disrupt England’s build-up, and while that caused problems in the first half, England’s second-half performance was one of the most commanding seen from a Three Lions side in recent tournament football. Tuchel’s view is that the system worked well enough to justify persisting with it.

Marc Guehi, who has been in strong club form, remains on the bench for now. Tuchel’s position is that Stones will not start every fixture, but in the games that matter most, he will get the nod.

Stones himself is currently a free agent after his Manchester City contract expired at the end of last season, with former club Everton among those linked with a move. That uncertain club situation did little to help his sharpness against Croatia, but Tuchel appears willing to absorb that risk in exchange for the technical qualities Stones brings to England’s defensive structure.

With tougher opponents likely to follow in the knockout rounds, the back four will face a sterner examination — but for now, Tuchel’s faith in Stones is not for turning.