Given the fact that he has not played a single minute of football for Manchester City this season, John Stones was probably not the name that most expected to see in the headlines on Friday afternoon.
However, thanks to comments made by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, that is exactly what happened.
Addressing the absence of Joe Gomez from Gareth Southgate's England squad, a player who has only featured in two Premier League games for Liverpool this season, Klopp said: "I know that Gareth from time to time reacts where if you are not playing regularly for your club then you’re not playing for the national team.
"Obviously there’s a special rule for Mr Stones but Joe didn’t get a call-up."
Perhaps Klopp's frustration is understandable - based on his lack of action this season, Stones has absolutely no claim to be selected. But his past contributions to the national team warrant a slight bending of normal convention.
However, having been named in Pep Guardiola's starting XI for City's game against Burnley on Saturday, the 27-year-old has the perfect chance to prove Klopp, Guardiola and his doubters wrong.
Klopp should know better not to make petty comments about opposition players, but he never seems to learn. A commanding display against a physical, in-your-face Sean Dyche side will dispel any doubts over Stones' credentials to start for England.
Guardiola, who to be fair has an enviable selection headache when it comes to central defenders, could be proved wrong for not starting Stones this season.
Aymeric Laporte has been preferred as partner to Ruben Dias, but with the latter rested having played every minute of the season so far, Stones has a chance to stake his claim.
Football fans have short memories, even more so when it comes to players. Stones was sensational last season as he turned around his crumbling City career to form a near-impenetrable defensive partnership with Dias.
Having spent the past two months on the bench, many seem to have forgotten his abilities. Let's not forget that he found himself in a similar position last season - in 2020/21, he featured in only one of City's opening eight league games. After the Burnley match, that stat will be the same.
We all know what happened after that. If Stones puts in a solid performance against the Clarets, expect him to go from strength to strength.
