Stones is not a bad player but Garcia I believe despite not yet having the physical presence is better at organising a defence, has more composure under pressure and potentially has far greater leadership qualities than Stones. Stones is at his best when he is guided by someone be it Vinny, Laporte or even Otto when he was fairly decent. There are sadly some very earthly reasons for thinking John is not the man for the moment.I will never understand the constant critcism of John Stones.
On what planet is he not playing well and running out of chances, because it ain't Earth.
Lol,he has played once or twice in cup games and he's our 2nd best defender? he has to learn to play in a pep team,he is a childI honestly think Eric Garcia is the second best defender in our team after Laporte. Just look at him; his reading of the game, positioning, tackles, calmness. He plays so mature.
I cannot understand what Pep is waiting for. He is definitely ready and if not now, when?
Why on God’s green earth does Otamendi start ahead of Garcia? Unbelievable.
He is certainly better than the current Otamendi, who is absolutely dire. Stones is not much better, lets be honest. Which is why we will probably ship out Otamendi and buy top CB in January. Laporte, new CB, Garcia, Stones as options sounds good.Lol,he has played once or twice in cup games and he's our 2nd best defender? he has to learn to play in a pep team,he is a child
No way is a kid with few mins in the first team better than any of our cb's,he looks very good under certain circumstances but he is not ready for the prem and cl's which is what is being suggested by those saying h is our 2nd best cbHe is certainly better than the current Otamendi, who is absolutely dire. Stones is not much better, lets be honest. Which is why we will probably ship out Otamendi and buy top CB in January. Laporte, new CB, Garcia, Stones as options sounds good.
No way is a kid with few mins in the first team better than any of our cb's,he looks very good under certain circumstances but he is not ready for the prem and cl's which is what is being suggested by those saying h is our 2nd best cb
Bit of a leap to make that statement. Pitch him up against Abraham, vardy, rashford and aubamayang over the next month and he could well be ruined.He is certainly better than the current Otamendi, who is absolutely dire. Stones is not much better, lets be honest. Which is why we will probably ship out Otamendi and buy top CB in January. Laporte, new CB, Garcia, Stones as options sounds good.
It matters he is only 18 and he has yet to get to grips with mens football and what is required in a pep team,dinho is having enough trouble trying to play cb,he isn't holding a kids hand as well,2nd best cb lolYou’re talking as if Garcia only played 4-5 minutes in total for the club. Maybe in the Premier League. He played full games in Carabao and FA (?) and it’s clear he is a solid centre back. He rarely makes mistakes, he doesn’t engage in one against ones and not only miss the ball but the entire player as Otamendi did against Wolves. He uses his calmness and he thinks before he acts. I haven’t seen as much of him as I have with Stones and Otamendi, but honestly they are both so prone to errors, I would welcome Garcia with open arms to play with a mentor like Fernandinho right now. The boy is class and it doesn’t matter if he is 18.
He wouldn't stand a chance,it's bullshit to say he is ready to go next to ericBit of a leap to make that statement. Pitch him up against Abraham, vardy, rashford and aubamayang over the next month and he could well be ruined.
Yes I think he’d struggle big time trying to step into that position without any experience of PL football and still a lot of development to do in all areas. I think pep is doing it just right with him and over time we will start to see him introduced slowly and in the right way.He wouldn't stand a chance,it's bullshit to say he is ready to go next to eric
It matters he is only 18 and he has yet to get to grips with mens football
what is required in a pep team,dinho is having enough trouble trying to play cb,he isn't holding a kids hand as well,2nd best cb lol
What does this even mean? ”Mens football”? The guy is 18, not 12, comes from the world famous football academy La Masia and has played with a ball all of his life. You seriously believe Stones knows the game so much better than this kid? Based on what, his years at Everton?
I still think he is. Stones doesn’t give me confidence at all. He doesn’t seem to like engaging, he rarely tackles, and he often make mistakes. He looked lost against Liverpool. Eric can handle himself, he instructed 12 year older Otamendi in a game ffs. He knows how to construct a defensive line, it’s not rocket science.
I’m really not the one screaming for youngsters to get their chances, but I really believe we have a diamond in the rough with this kid. He should play.
There is a reason why Pep doesn't start him. You might underestimate the gap between youth fotball and the best league in the world. It's huge. No way is Garcia better than Stones. We need some height at the back now Laporte is out.
I agree on the height argument, but not the rest. I've seen Garcia intercept passes by reading the game so well, and also engage in standing tackles looking way more comfortable than Stones. He. just. doesn't. make. mistakes. That's what's interesting.
I know age plays a role, of course, but putting that aside for a second and just watch him play, you would think he is older.
I just wonder what Pep is waiting for. But clearly he sees something I don't.
He hasn't played against a single top team. You can't say he won't make mistakes against top forwards. He has played against shit treams so far.
Didn't he play against Liverpool and Bayern Munich?
https://totalfootballanalysis.com/p...er-city-tactical-analysis-analysis-statistics
Carabao Cup against Leicster, he did well.
I think he would cope. I actually think he is close of playing more regularly in the league. A few more flat games from Stones and he will be there.
We don't have any fit CBs who don't make mistakes at the moment...He hasn't played against a single top team. You can't say he won't make mistakes against top forwards. He has played against shit treams so far.