John Stones

[nmc]

If he's around you'd hope we were pushing this one over the line. Hopefully we are.

 

[domalino]

I'm hearing a place in town, although from a fans perspective I'd much rather he moved to Hale.... Keep him out of City centre temptations!

Maybe he's moving next door to the Guardiolas.

 

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

No he didn't, he's lived in Manchester for at least 6 months.

My mistake, knew it was recent though and Ashley youngs house...

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Tell you what. I'd be happy to see Stones here, but we've just missed out on a seriously good centre back, for much, much less dosh, in letting Samuel Umtiti go to Barcelona. I've got a very soft spot for Olympique Lyonnais, and I've followed him. I believe he's the real thing, although of course there's always the worry about the Mangala syndrome (i.e. a player that looks good playing in a fairly weak league…)

 

[ono]

Bit underwhelmed with blowing a boat load on him to be honest. If we managed to sign him and Sane, we will have spent around £130m or so on 3 prospects who may or may not go on to become world class. Especially if Pep is only going to stay for 3 years.

Our track record of being patient enough to let youngsters make mistakes and kick on isn't particularly great so I have my reservations here.

I'd much rather take Nolito over Sane, and then see where Roberts and Sterling are at this time next year. And I've rather see how Denayer, Otamendi, Mangala and Kompany (injuries permitting) work under Pep.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Tell you what. I'd be happy to see Stones here, but we've just missed out on a seriously good centre back, for much, much less dosh, in letting Samuel Umtiti go to Barcelona. I've got a very soft spot for Olympique Lyonnais, and I've followed him. I believe he's the real thing, although of course there's always the worry about the Mangala syndrome (i.e. a player that looks good playing in a fairly weak league…)

Agreed. Barca have got a bargain there for £21 million. Still, rather he go to Barca than somebody else in the prem. Was dreading one of the prem teams getting him.

 

[JimmyNJ]

Bit underwhelmed with blowing a boat load on him to be honest. If we managed to sign him and Sane, we will have spent around £130m or so on 3 prospects who may or may not go on to become world class. Especially if Pep is only going to stay for 3 years.

Our track record of being patient enough to let youngsters make mistakes and kick on isn't particularly great so I have my reservations here.

I'd much rather take Nolito over Sane, and then see where Roberts and Sterling are at this time next year. And I've rather see how Denayer, Otamendi, Mangala and Kompany (injuries permitting) work under Pep.

You'd rather have the 3 centrebacks we had last year, a player who was out on load, and not add anyone new into the mix!? Thats crazy.

Roberts in 19, I hope he does come here and become a star, but there are 19 year olds playing in the PL already, so I'm not willing to say "lets see where Sterling and Roberts are next year" We need playmakers, we need confident players, and we need them now. You look around at some of these others clubs and they have a lot less weak spots than we do. We need players, I for one hope Pep keeps buying. Pay what it takes.

 

[Bill]

You'd rather have the 3 centrebacks we had last year, a player who was out on load, and not add anyone new into the mix!? Thats crazy.

Roberts in 19, I hope he does come here and become a star, but there are 19 year olds playing in the PL already, so I'm not willing to say "lets see where Sterling and Roberts are next year" We need playmakers, we need confident players, and we need them now. You look around at some of these others clubs and they have a lot less weak spots than we do. We need players, I for one hope Pep keeps buying. Pay what it takes.

Agreed. We don't have a year.

 

[the_game_161]

Tell you what. I'd be happy to see Stones here, but we've just missed out on a seriously good centre back, for much, much less dosh, in letting Samuel Umtiti go to Barcelona. I've got a very soft spot for Olympique Lyonnais, and I've followed him. I believe he's the real thing, although of course there's always the worry about the Mangala syndrome (i.e. a player that looks good playing in a fairly weak league…)

He has potential and could develop well but has ways to go yet. That said it's hard for now to compete with teams like Barca/Real for signings.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Tell you what. I'd be happy to see Stones here, but we've just missed out on a seriously good centre back, for much, much less dosh, in letting Samuel Umtiti go to Barcelona. I've got a very soft spot for Olympique Lyonnais, and I've followed him. I believe he's the real thing, although of course there's always the worry about the Mangala syndrome (i.e. a player that looks good playing in a fairly weak league…)

Hmm, I'd question how good he can be if he can't get a game for France, given the lack of talent at CB for them (Mangala's in the squad ffs). Then again, you could say the same about Stones. But I'd just counter that with two words: Roy Hodgson.

 

[wolfie1988]

Stones will be class. Mark my words.

We can't miss out on him this summer. I don't think some realise what a step up he is, compared to our current lot, on the ball. It's vital we get him in and get Pep mentoring him earlier to remove that clouded mind he has after Martinez's reign at Everton.

Anybody who is doubting this transfer should remember that the reason he didn't look great last year was the fact he was playing in the 2nd most baffling defensive setup I've ever seen (after Pellegrini's daft 'centre half comes into midfield leaving a big fuck off gap in behind' setup).

 

[VOOMER]

Stones will be class. Mark my words.

We can't miss out on him this summer. I don't think some realise what a step up he is, compared to our current lot, on the ball. It's vital we get him in and get Pep mentoring him earlier to remove that clouded mind he has after Martinez's reign at Everton.

Anybody who is doubting this transfer should remember that the reason he didn't look great last year was the fact he was playing in the 2nd most baffling defensive setup I've ever seen (after Pellegrini's daft 'centre half comes into midfield leaving a big fuck off gap in behind' setup).

100% agree

 

[ono]

You'd rather have the 3 centrebacks we had last year, a player who was out on load, and not add anyone new into the mix!? Thats crazy.

Roberts in 19, I hope he does come here and become a star, but there are 19 year olds playing in the PL already, so I'm not willing to say "lets see where Sterling and Roberts are next year" We need playmakers, we need confident players, and we need them now. You look around at some of these others clubs and they have a lot less weak spots than we do. We need players, I for one hope Pep keeps buying. Pay what it takes.

Sorry mate I think you have misunderstood me. We definitely need reinforcements, but I'm skeptical about us paying world class money for prospects who might take 2-3 years to even begin to show their value.

Given our track record of not showing a great deal of patience with young centre backs (Nastasic, Savic, Boateng) I feel a little bit apprehensive about paying ridiculous sums for a young English centre back who found himself in and out of the Everton team last season. I am unsure that we will persevere with him long enough to get the true long term value out of him, and given Pep's tendency to only stick around for 3 or 4 years at best, I see much more value in bringing in players who cab immediately contribute on a consistent basis at the top level. Same goes for Sane.

I think they are both promising young players, but we have massive improvements to make in the here and now, not just in the future. I don't see Stones and Sane being good enough to be consistent and key contributors for a couple of years (if they do indeed kick on), and by then, Pep may well only have a year left with then to reap the benefits.

I just think we are moving into a world where players aren't likely to stick around at a club for longer than 4-5 years, so am highly skeptical about spending world class money on young players, given its a bit of a lottery how they will pan out.

 

[ono]

Stones will be class. Mark my words.

We can't miss out on him this summer. I don't think some realise what a step up he is, compared to our current lot, on the ball. It's vital we get him in and get Pep mentoring him earlier to remove that clouded mind he has after Martinez's reign at Everton.

Anybody who is doubting this transfer should remember that the reason he didn't look great last year was the fact he was playing in the 2nd most baffling defensive setup I've ever seen (after Pellegrini's daft 'centre half comes into midfield leaving a big fuck off gap in behind' setup).

Pellegrini's daft set up was a secondary problem caused by Fernandinho chasing the ball like an excited dog in midfield. Countless times last season he left a huge gap behind himself by riskily closing down an opponent, only to have the ball played around him and into the space he had just vacated. Normally that would be fine if he had a holding player covering him, but Pellegrini bafflingly decided Yaya was fine to sit alongside him.

I haven't decided if Dinho is really unintelligent or if he was simply following orders. I hope it's the latter.

 

[Blue1991]

Someone I work with has mentioned it's going to be £20,000,000 plus Bony.

I then asked what about Lukaku apparently he has agreed terms with Arsenal and the two clubs are negotiating a fee.

Just thought I'd share.

Hope we get stones deal wrapped up within the week :)

 

[IWasHere]

Pellegrini's daft set up was a secondary problem caused by Fernandinho chasing the ball like an excited dog in midfield. Countless times last season he left a huge gap behind himself by riskily closing down an opponent, only to have the ball played around him and into the space he had just vacated. Normally that would be fine if he had a holding player covering him, but Pellegrini bafflingly decided Yaya was fine to sit alongside him.

I haven't decided if Dinho is really unintelligent or if he was simply following orders. I hope it's the latter.

You do realise he's contender for POTS?

 

[ono]

You do realise he's contender for POTS?

Of course I do. Somebody alluded to the fact that our defenders often go AWOL into the center of the pitch to close down space. I was simply pointing out that Fernandinho does the exact same thing and it cost us valuable goals in big games.

Watch Marcus Rasford's goal against us. Watch what Fernandinho does as Mata controls the ball on the half way line. Look at the gap he leaves behind him. And then watch what Demichellis does.

Watch Mahrez's goal against us. Watch how Fernandinho wrongly tried to engage Kante without noticing the space that he is leaving behind him. Then watch what Otamendi does to cover the space.

I'm not blaming Dinho. I love him. But at times he was a problem (alongside Yaya) when we deployed a 2 man midfield.

So yes, I do realise he was POTS contender, but I also realise that people over subscribe to his work rate and tenacity without stopping to think how it can sometimes work against the team.

In a midfield 3, it doesn't cause a problem because there is cover available but in a two, it did.

 

[TrueBlueMike]

Of course I do. Somebody alluded to the fact that our defenders often go AWOL into the center of the pitch to close down space. I was simply pointing out that Fernandinho does the exact same thing and it cost us valuable goals in big games.

Watch Marcus Rasford's goal against us. Watch what Fernandinho does as Mata controls the ball on the half way line. Look at the gap he leaves behind him. And then watch what Demichellis does.

Watch Mahrez's goal against us. Watch how Fernandinho wrongly tried to engage Kante without noticing the space that he is leaving behind him. Then watch what Otamendi does to cover the space.

I'm not blaming Dinho. I love him. But at times he was a problem (alongside Yaya) when we deployed a 2 man midfield.

So yes, I do realise he was POTS contender, but I also realise that people over subscribe to his work rate and tenacity without stopping to think how it can sometimes work against the team.

In a midfield 3, it doesn't cause a problem because there is cover available but in a two, it did.

To be fair to Dinho, as you've pointed out, he was played in a midfield 2 with Yaya. He was therefore at times covering his position and where Yaya should have if he wasnt sat on the floor complaining 30 yards up the pitch.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

Someone I work with has mentioned it's going to be £20,000,000 plus Bony.

I then asked what about Lukaku apparently he has agreed terms with Arsenal and the two clubs are negotiating a fee.

Just thought I'd share.

Hope we get stones deal wrapped up within the week :)

so that's £60 million + Bony with us paying Bony's wages and us paying for Lukaku to move to Arsenal and also pay his wages.

 

[IWasHere]

Of course I do. Somebody alluded to the fact that our defenders often go AWOL into the center of the pitch to close down space. I was simply pointing out that Fernandinho does the exact same thing and it cost us valuable goals in big games.

Watch Marcus Rasford's goal against us. Watch what Fernandinho does as Mata controls the ball on the half way line. Look at the gap he leaves behind him. And then watch what Demichellis does.

Watch Mahrez's goal against us. Watch how Fernandinho wrongly tried to engage Kante without noticing the space that he is leaving behind him. Then watch what Otamendi does to cover the space.

I'm not blaming Dinho. I love him. But at times he was a problem (alongside Yaya) when we deployed a 2 man midfield.

So yes, I do realise he was POTS contender, but I also realise that people over subscribe to his work rate and tenacity without stopping to think how it can sometimes work against the team.

In a midfield 3, it doesn't cause a problem because there is cover available but in a two, it did.

Good point tbf but I'm not surprised when he plays in a midfield 2 with yaya