‘Handled it so well’ – England centre-back partner Stones hails Crystal Palace defender for international tournament adaptation

England defender John Stones has hailed Marc Guehi’s adaptation to international tournament football as the Crystal Palace defender continues to start alongside the Manchester City star in Germany.

Guehi, 23, is playing his first major tournament for the Three Lions after missing out on the final squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Lewisham-raised centre-back Guehi has impressed in both opening games against Serbia and Denmark.

England take on Slovenia in their final group stage game on Tuesday.

“So good,” Stones, who has 74 England caps to his name, told BBC’s Football Daily Podcast.

“For him to have come in and not have felt those feelings around tournament football before or these kinds of games – all kind of different emotions that come with it that you have never experienced before – he’s handled it so well.

“I said to him, or whoever I’m playing with: ‘I’m your right arm and you’re my left – we do this together. I’ve got your back.’

“He’s bought into that so well. I believe massively in partnerships – you do it all together.

“We have had two great games together. We conceded in the last one, but if we’re going to concede in that manner from a great striker quite far outside the box that has gone right in the corner, sometimes you can’t do much about it.

“It’s the worrying ones where you’re in a bad position or a mistake that you know you could have done better with.

“He’s handled the occasion so well and I really enjoy playing with him.”