5 | John Stones - 2022/23

[ScottSinclair]

The issue is if he can stay injury free for the rest of the season

 

[walker_is_faster]

 

[Javi Garcia's Hairstylist]

Looks absolutely born to this role. In no time flat I am struggling to imagine him not playing there.

 

[mccity]

This is definitely impressive, but it'd be good to know what the top 5–10 list looks like to properly appreciate the statistic.

 

[waspish]

Playing that role better than Lewis did! Can’t see our back four changing from that now..

 

[domalino]

Looks absolutely born to this role. In no time flat I am struggling to imagine him not playing there.

Playing that role better than Lewis did! Can’t see our back four changing from that now..

I think @twosips said this first but one of the best things about Stones in this role is that he's obviously learned from how Rico Lewis played it.

We did try Stones there a few times before and he was alright but nothing special. Rico came in and brought with him this 1 touch football and really positive outlook where most of the time he gets the ball his first touch is a forward pass and then he immediately moves to receive it again. A bit of a throwback to early Pep back in Barca.

Stones must have seen that because since he's come back into the role, he's brought so much more of that to his game. Very little time spent on the ball or taking touches like he does at CB looking for an opening. Get the ball, pass the ball, run.

 

[Nascent Blues]

He's 29 in May, so we should have another 2 to 3 years of prime Stones ahead of us (injuries permitting).

 

[mdj0520]

He's 29 in May, so we should have another 2 to 3 years of prime Stones ahead of us (injuries permitting).

Agreed. Plus, I think we all (supporters and back room staff) now accept he will be injured 25-40% of games a season... But he's so worth it for when he is fit. No dissimilar to Kompany's injury situation.

 

[schfc6]

Playing that role better than Lewis did! Can’t see our back four changing from that now..

I think playing Bayern and Madrid, we might see kyle walker there with Stones ce real.

Both Madrid and Bayern will play high and wide wingers.

 

[supercity88]

He was very good in that role on Saturday. Pep got it spot on. Liverpool didn't know when to press, how to press or where to press and Stones was so comfortable passing and moving, even making runs into attacking areas to give space for others. Kalvin Phillips better have been watching!

Grealish saved him from that awful header that got Salah away at 1-0 though. But we'll let him off because he's Sir John.

 

[Bluewars]

Two 6Ft3 strapping lads playing little one twos and playing in and out of the midfield pockets so effortlessly, ahhhhh Pep! So this is what you were cooking all this time? It was a thing of beauty, Gracias, sorry i doubted you Mi Amor!

 

[dadnlad]

Sir John needs old tommy Booth song
he's here he's there
he's every fu*king where
jonny stones
jonny stones

i dont mnd song he's got now but pep's got him playing every position now

 

[Sprayleej3]

There were times yesterday when slotting back into defence he just moved back into the CB position and Akanji temporarily pushed out to right back.

That reduces the need for the inverted full back to have lightning pace, because he doesn't have to travel so far in those quick transitions.

Walker would be great playing where Akanji played, with John inverting. Walker building up in RCB and the ability to move to RB in transition while stones drops from DM back into CB in the defensive phase. Seems like that's Pep's endgame. Gets the most out of Walker's defensive abilities, and Stones' ball playing, without sacrificing the stability in transitions.

 

[WallyA]

Walker would be great playing where Akanji played, with John inverting. Walker building up in RCB and the ability to move to RB in transition while stones drops from DM back into CB in the defensive phase. Seems like that's Pep's endgame. Gets the most out of Walker's defensive abilities, and Stones' ball playing, without sacrificing the stability in transitions.

I have suggested this alternate that of a CB pushing up in midfield as well rather than the RB.

Pep also tried it but he used Rodri as a CB in defense and he pushed into DM when in possession.

The issue with is when coming back to defend the player has to slot between 2 others which can cause some confusion when being countered rather than requiring no coordination to slot to the right side as the other 3 shift in unison.

They both solve the same issue Pep wanted to solve which was transition into defending from a 325 attack with less space covered, but Peps solution is easier for players to implement mentally.

 

[Worsleyweb]

A magnificent player

 

[wolviedinho]

A magnificent player

Second that. The term rolls Royce is banded about too much but it epitomises Stones. Comfortable intelligent footballer. Seems a decent lad aswell. One of the best signing the club has made. I hope his new role is the way forward. His full potential is not utilised in defence.

 

[Brightwell Bros.]

The only question left about John Stones is why it took Pep so long to play him in the position he is now playing. Looks like he was born to play the role.

 

[Saddleworth2]

The only question left about John Stones is why it took Pep so long to play him in the position he is now playing. Looks like he was born to play the role.

I think he has got far better at it then those first performances (think it was in the CL) when it was tried.

 

[sir baconface]

Disappointed to see no mention of Rolls Royces in the two previous posts.

 

[ChazzMCFC]

He can do it all, fullback or midfield, even stick him on the wing if need be.