John Stones' marvellous performances have gone under the radar at Euro 2020, but the defender could play a key role in the semi-final game against Denmark.
Pundits have waxed-lyrical about England's goalscorers and assist makers and rightly so. But praise should be due for Stones too who has played an integral role in ensuring the Three Lions have kept five consecutive clean-sheets at the tournament so far.
Stones has performed with maturity and assuredness. He's been able to stifle the attacking threat of every opponent England have faced at the tournament. Stones has frustrated some of the best players in the world including Thomas Muller and Luka Modric.
He was part of the only defence that current Euro 2020 top-goalscorer Patrik Schick was unable to score against.
And he comes out on top when it comes to statistics too.
Stones has won 83.3 per cent of his defensive duels so far which is the second highest at the tournament according to Wyscout, joint with Harry Maguire.
While not the quickest, Stones' ability to read the game is vital. As Harry Maguire is more likely to maraud forward and instigate attacks, Stones has to play the perfect sweeper role behind him.
With Denmark's tendency to run in behind the opposition through swift counter-attacking play, Stones' role to cover Maguire will be even more crucial.
England are yet to face a truly counter-attacking side at the tournament. There were moments when even Ukraine's wilted attack caused them problems.
Denmark are one of the best teams at what they do.
Back in October, the Danish caused England problems at the back in the Nations League.
Denmark's high-counter pressing style proved a nuisance at Wembley last time around with the Danish forcing Harry Maguire into two mistakes that saw him sent off.
England ultimately lost the game 1-0 as Denmark ran in behind the defence from a set-piece and won themselves a penalty which was converted by Christian Eriksen.
Stones was absent that night and his presence could be vital this time around.
Southgate is likely to opt for a back three against the Danes and will look to play the same possession game England have played at the whole tournament.
To play that possession game effectively, Southgate needs centre-backs who are excellent passers of the ball and who can cover should England surrender possession. Stones is certainly capable of doing that. He currently ranks third for pass accuracy in the tournament with 95.8% according to Fbref and he showed he can cover in behind Maguire making a total of 11 recovery runs against Germany.
In the defeat to Denmark back in October, Southgate played Conor Coady alongside Maguire whose distribution and reading of the game is nowhere near at the same level as Stones'.
The City defender could hold the key to England's success in the semi-final and his presence has been a breath of fresh air in this England team at the tournament.
It's time Stones gets the recognition he deserves.
What have you made of John Stones' performances at Euro 2020? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
