John Stones

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Can you imagine the Barca version of bm when pique signed for them in 2008? I think he'll be a great signing so long as he has the puyol type figure (Kompany) to be along side him.
 
I know we've all took turns slating him for his obvious mistakes this past season but if that report is true that he wants this wrapped up and wants to be ready for pre season with Pep I'll commend him for that.
 
MillionDollarDream said:
I know we've all took turns slating him for his obvious mistakes this past season but if that report is true that he wants this wrapped up and wants to be ready for pre season with Pep I'll commend him for that.
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I genuinely haven't slated him at all and was gutted last season at the possibility of him going to Chelsea, as with Sterling I'm made up about him in a city shirt.
 
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Blue Mooner said:
I'm struggling to rationalise why we would spend money on a defender who isn't considered better than Chris Smalling....
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I think some need to start seeing the bigger picture tactically here - we no longer just have a manager who wants to find 11 top names on paper and put them on the pitch. There is a clear method to the game he wants to play, and getting a ball playing centre back is absolutely essential to his game plan. The value of a player to fit the system far outweighs the value of the players name on paper - it helps that Stones is also a hell of a talent at 22 years old.

Did you ever watch the video with Pep talking about tactics while at Barcelona? If not you should. He talks specifically about teams who aim to sit back and defend (something his sides will always come up against). He highlighted the importance of leaving one centreback in the backline and pushing one into the middle of the park to outnumber teams in the midfield in these situations, which will eventually lead to creating enough space to move the ball forwards in dangerous areas. The only way we can do that is by having a CB capable of playing football - his philosophy ultimately comes down to being able to outnumbers teams in key areas of the field - a ball playing CB is a must for this to work and a signing of that nature cannot be underestimated (even if you don't completely rate the player defensively - although Stones can clearly defend).

The biggest problem I see at the moment is whether some existing players are good enough at keeping the ball - he seems to work on the basis that 4 players will always keep the ball against 3 players, and 5 against 4 etc. That's a big task for some of the players currently at the club. Stones would not fall into that category - which is why he's worth paying the big money for.
 
Lomas has a lob on said:
By the unemployed woy hodgson
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It wasn't just Woy though was it!? I saw no clamour from the mainstream media pundits calling for Stones to take his place - or even Cahill for that matter. That worries me. It either proves one of two things that the media is infested with rags or he's simply not all he is cracked up to be.

By the way I was being facetious with my Smalling comment, I have no doubt that if England places were selected on quality alone that Stones would and should have been selected. The bias to pick rags is one of the reasons why England will never be successful imo.
 
Blue Mooner said:
It wasn't just Woy though was it!? I saw no clamour from the mainstream media pundits calling for Stones to take his place - or even Cahill for that matter. That worries me. It either proves one of two things that the media is infested with rags or he's simply not all he is cracked up to be.

By the way I was being facetious with my Smalling comment, I have no doubt that if England places were selected on quality alone that Stones would and should have been selected. The bias to pick rags is one of the reasons why England will never be successful imo.
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Before the Euros Ferdinand rang into talksport or 5live can't remember which to basically say anyone bashing Stones is clueless! Said something along the lines of him being an amazing player!
Feels wrong agreeing with Ferdinand but I do on this one!

He's not the finished article but the fact that both Guardiola and Mourinho like him, speaks volumes, both top managers but polar opposites in terms of how there teams set up yet both have been willing to spend huge money on him!
 
Blue Mooner said:
It wasn't just Woy though was it!? I saw no clamour from the mainstream media pundits calling for Stones to take his place- or even Cahill for that matter. That worries me. It either proves one of two things that media is infested with rags or he's simply not all he is cracked up to be.

By the way I was being facetious, I have no doubt that if England places selected on quality alone that Stones would and should have been selected. It's one of the reasons why England will never be successful imo.
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That had a lot to do with how England were playing. England wasn't trying to dominate possession like say how Spain or even Germany would. The squad as a whole can't do it in that style. So to have Cahill or Smalling in as defenders probably made more sense to some.

Pep has to play from the back as he sees possession as his defence basically. The less the opposition has the ball the less they can score. It starts from the back and being able to play out of pressure. If Mangala or Otamendi were to play and wouldn't be able to help keep the ball ticking, the opposition would gain more possession putting more pressure to defend.

The only real concern with Stones would be his ability to defend 1 v 1. He'll need to be able to do that when we lose possession and teams try to counter with the long ball. I've seen Alaba make some horrible mistakes as well as Benatia and because the way Bayern played there isn't any help behind except for the keeper.
 
even tho he seems keen to push through a move, talk of the deal possibly being completed early next week are a bit premature. we still have to bid and everton still have to accept it, and going by the last couple of times we dealt with them, they enjoy a bit of hardball
 
mancityscot said:
even tho he seems keen to push through a move, talk of the deal possibly being completed early next week are a bit premature. we still have to bid and everton still have to accept it, and going by the last couple of times we dealt with them, they enjoy a bit of hardball
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According to some reports they've already lined up his replacement so they'll want the money in soonish. He's been asking to leave for 2 years now, it's in both clubs interests to get this done quick.
 
mancityscot said:
even tho he seems keen to push through a move, talk of the deal possibly being completed early next week are a bit premature. we still have to bid and everton still have to accept it, and going by the last couple of times we dealt with them, they enjoy a bit of hardball
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Txiki's negotiating doesn't help

Offer £40m wait for rejection
Offer £42.5m wait for rejection
Offer £45m wait for rejection
Offer £47.5m wait for rejection
Offer £47.5m + add ons to £50m discuss finer details and get offer accepted.

Call me old fashioned but just get all parties round a table ffs & get a deal agreed!!!!!
 
hgblue said:
Lol
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SO you seriously think that player that was benched by Jag and Cahill is better than best defender for United(who btw had best defensive record in PL) and arguably was englands best defender. Ignore potential because we are not getting him for peanuts but 50M. And not in 2 years or 5 years, but now.

I know we all hate rags and must say every player is crap there, but come on. suggesting something like that is not laughable. Stones hasnt proved anything yet to say he is best english defender, not even close. Suggesting that he can replace Otamendi is even crazier, hell Mangala was at one point hottest defender prospect in continent. Only thing there is that stupid 50m price tag that says he must be half decent, fuck everton and english tax for that btw.

If everton somehow get Koulibaly as replacement for less than we paid them I will cry a little inside.

But if we sign him of course I will support him like any City player, unlike many here attacking our players at every chance.
 
Worst Case Ontario said:
SO you seriously think that player that was benched by Jag and Cahill is better than best defender for United(who btw had best defensive record in PL) and arguably was englands best defender. Ignore potential because we are not getting him for peanuts but 50M. And not in 2 years or 5 years, but now.

I know we all hate rags and must say every player is crap there, but come on. suggesting something like that is not laughable. Stones hasnt proved anything yet to say he is best english defender, not even close. Suggesting that he can replace Otamendi is even crazier, hell Mangala was at one point hottest defender prospect in continent. Only thing there is that stupid 50m price tag that says he must be half decent, fuck everton and english tax for that btw.

If everton somehow get Koulibaly as replacement for less than we paid them I will cry a little inside.

But if we sign him of course I will support him like any City player, unlike many here attacking our players at every chance.
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Smalling isn't fit to lace Stones's boots.
 
Worst Case Ontario said:
SO you seriously think that player that was benched by Jag and Cahill is better than best defender for United(who btw had best defensive record in PL) and arguably was englands best defender. Ignore potential because we are not getting him for peanuts but 50M. And not in 2 years or 5 years, but now.

I know we all hate rags and must say every player is crap there, but come on. suggesting something like that is not laughable. Stones hasnt proved anything yet to say he is best english defender, not even close. Suggesting that he can replace Otamendi is even crazier, hell Mangala was at one point hottest defender prospect in continent. Only thing there is that stupid 50m price tag that says he must be half decent, fuck everton and english tax for that btw.

If everton somehow get Koulibaly as replacement for less than we paid them I will cry a little inside.

But if we sign him of course I will support him like any City player, unlike many here attacking our players at every chance.
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well put , if we do end paying up 50m for him or thereabouts , hope he copes up with the pressure ...unlike sterling

on a positive side both are very young and I am sure will come good under pep
 
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