Stones returns to the group: at Inter he still has to prove his worth

After 53 days out and 9 missed matches — 10 if you count the bench against Como — John Stones has returned to training with the group. According to Tuttosport, the 32-year-old defender now has to prove he is up to the standard of Inter, because so far his contribution has fallen well below expectations.

The record is harsh: just 4 brief appearances in the Nerazzurri shirt, for a total of 144 minutes between the league and Champions League. Much more time spent in the infirmary than in the three-man defense. As the sports daily writes, “on the pitch, it doesn’t matter what you’ve won in the past, or your career. And never mind if last summer you were the wall of your national team that finished third at the World Cup. In football, what matters is the here and now.”

Stones’ return is still considered a positive for the team. His recovery will allow Chivu to have more rotation in defense, easing the burden on those who have had to cover for his absence. As Tuttosport points out, players like Bastoni — often used as a central defender in recent weeks — and Akanji will be able to catch their breath.

Inter considers the Englishman a valuable signing. Now it’s up to him to live up to that assessment on the pitch.