When England and Spain play at Wembley tonight it will be the meeting of two philosophies: a failed, outdated approach to the game that has brought decades of disappointment and a revolutionary, Pep-Guardiola-inspired style that generated one of the most successful international teams in the history of the sport.

We are at an important juncture in English football. Fresh from scandal, shaking off the tag of the ‘golden generation’ and with an array of gifted young players, change is in the air. The hunt for an on-pitch identity has been a long and arduous one. Now, in the form of a baby-faced central defender, there are shoots of hope that English football can become something new.

What that new ‘thing’ is we are yet to discover. Much like Spain, though, it is likely to be driven by Pep Guardiola. The Catalan is nurturing John Stones, placing faith in him and giving him a key role in the initial build-up phase for his Manchester City team. Gareth Southgate, the early signs are showing, is willing to do the same. England's interim manager, a man criticised for pretty much anything he does, enabled an England team (!) to play football out from their defence against Scotland. It was criticised vehemently when mistakes were made, but it was the sort of refreshing approach that England’s national team so desperately needs.

John Stones England v Scotland

Gerard Pique was the central defensive ball-player in Spain’s immensely successful period. And Pique was, like Stones, given the license to start passing attacks from the back by Guardiola. Developing a player to play in such a style is the ultimate no pain, no gain process. Risks are taken in the role, goals are conceded and there will be the odd calamity. The thought is that it's all worth it for what it allows the rest of the team to do. Pique was not perfect when he began alongside Carles Puyol at Barcelona, yet he has now retained his place as one of the world’s best central defenders for longer than almost anyone else.

In the comfort of meaningless friendlies and a relatively unchallenging qualifying group, England can reinvent themselves in a low-risk manner. As was seen against the energetic pressing of Scotland, there will be times of chaos as the centre-backs split and full-backs push up the field, but it is a necessary journey for England. Stones can lead the change, he can replicate Pique under the guidance of Guardiola and an understanding England manager.

Tuesday’s clash under a bright Wembley arch will give England yet more first-hand experience of what can happen when you embrace a philosophy. Stones will be the poster boy for any failure, of course, but persisting with a new brand of football from the England team can only be a positive.

Guardiola’s success at Barcelona did the hard work for the Spanish national team and they built around that very framework. His trust in Stones – and Stones’ early season performances – show he can be the future for England: the symbol of a new English approach to the game.

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