Now a key figure for the Premier League champions and the Three Lions, Stones was once among the many young defenders learning their trade in Yorkshire. He was developed with Barnsley’s youth system before going on to make 28 senior appearances for the Reds. He is revered as one of the most composed ball-playing centre-backs in Europe and owes a debt of gratitude to his Barnsley coaches for encouraging him to build from the back.
” Sign up to our new Sports Editor’s TeamTalk newsletter available this week Stones idolised Gerard Pique as a youngster, when the Spaniard was a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona side. Over a decade later, 30-year-old Stones is now a defender trusted by Guardiola to get his team on the front foot. He has credited his former Barnsley coaches with being ahead of the curve in motivating Stones to emulate his Catalan hero.