Online Reporter
JOHN STONES hilariously fooled Thomas Tuchel with a fake injury during England’s dressing room celebrations in Mexico City.
England boss Tuchel wore an expression of genuine concern as Stones clutched his shoulder with dance music pumping in the background.
Declan Rice even got in on the act, shouting in Tuchel’s direction: “Can we get a medic in here?”
Stones held his right arm down low as if his shoulder was dislocated while Tuchel glared at the pair with praying hands pressed to his mouth.
The former Manchester City defender even flashed a brief look to the camera which suggested a tinge of regret that he might have taken the prank too far.
But Tuchel’s reaction was golden when Stones loosened up his ‘injured’ shoulder and began thrusting it upwards when the music dropped.
The Three Lions manager jumped up and down with delight before bounding over to slap Stones’ hand and give him a hug.
Delight was probably mixed with relief after a brief moment of worrying that the experienced centre-back might not be available for Saturday’s quarter-final against Norway.
Stones started England’s Group L opener against Croatia but has been dropped for the four matches played since.
Marc Guehi stepped into the back-line, with Stones limited to just two substitute appearances.
But one of those was a vital 33-minute cameo against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, where England earned an historic 3-2 win.
It was a backs-to-the-wall job for most of the second half after Jarell Quansah‘s red card, but Stones and his Three Lions pals stood firm in a hostile arena – Sun.
