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JOHN STONES has found an unlikely champion as debate is now hotting up over England’s starting XI for Euro 2016.

With only three central defenders chosen by Roy Hodgson for the tournament, pundits are speculating whether it will be Cahill and Smalling, or Everton’s John Stones with either the Chelsea or the Manchester United defender in France.

But former Liverpool star Owen is adamant.

“I’m picking Stones to partner Smalling in the opener because he’s brilliant,” he said.

“It really angers me that people have blindly assumed he’s a player prone to mistakes.

“Name me an England centre-back who hasn’t made an error this season? Or any nationality for that matter?

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“It seems to be accepted by a lot of people that he is a liability and I just don’t understand it.

“I’ve watched him many times this season and he’s been fantastic for so much of it.

“Chris Smalling scored an own goal in United’s final league game and most people accepted it as just one of those things. If Stones had done that, everyone would be labelling it as yet another mistake.

“It’s unfair. He has great positioning, excellent on the ball, he’s strong, agile, and brilliant in the air.

“For me he’s the only England player who could walk into Barcelona’s team tomorrow. The only one who right now, could play for the best club side in world football. He’s that good.”

Michael Owen was speaking at the launch of Sportlobster's 1million euros predictor. Link