Unfortunately, his club career has not gone according to plan since he started all seven of Gareth Southgate's side's games at the tournament. John Stones was so good for England in Russia that he was being compared to Gerard Pique. Image: John Stones celebrates after scoring England's fourth goal of the group stage game against Panama Southgate's options at centre-back going forward are much more likely to include Tyrone Mings, Conor Coady, and Joe Gomez, as well as the tried and tested Maguire, Walker, and Eric Dier. Jones is currently sidelined with a knee injury and he has lost his first-team place at Manchester United to Victor Lindelof and Maguire.Īt 28, he should be in the prime of his career but it looks like he needs a move away from Old Trafford in January to get regular first-team football. There was little at stake in either match and Southgate stuck with a centre-back trio of Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Harry Maguire in the games that really mattered. Phil Jones started both games against Belgium at the World Cup in Russia. Unless he starts playing regularly in the Premier League, it is difficult to see a way back for Butland ahead of the likes of Dean Henderson, Alex McCarthy, and Tom Heaton. The 27-year-old has not played for Palace yet and he has a fight on his hands to get in the side ahead of Vincente Guaita and Wayne Hennessey.Įngland's three goalkeepers in Russia were Jordan Pickford, Butland, and Nick Pope.
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With Stoke valuing the shotstopper at £30m, a move did not materialise and Butland stayed and played regularly the following season.Ī loss of form and a series of mistakes saw him lose his place in the Stoke side and the England squad before a £1m move to Crystal Palace this summer. It was never going to be easy for Jack Butland to keep his place in the England squad after Stoke City were relegated to the Championship in 2018. Image: Jack Butland has yet to feature for Crystal Palace since his move to the South London club