For me he lacks the one thing that all good central defenders have and that is aggression. Look at the difference between him and Fern even, one looks like a decent centre back, no prizes for guessing which one that is.
If Arsenal want him I wouldn't stop it going through even this month. I don't see him getting back the form of early last season again, maybe he just can't handle Pep's demanding coaching style
It's really disappointing as it looked like we had a perfect partnership with Laporte at one stage. Time to cut our losses and run with what we have and look again in Summer.
It doesn't help that he is injury prone, if we can get a decent fee it's a goodbye for me
Stones has been given 3 & a half years to show he is good enough. I know Injuries have hampered him & personally I've always defended him to others - as there is ability there. Even though when we signed him in 2016 I had serious doubts. I thought give him a chance as Pep knows far far more than me about footy. But sadly he hasn't stepped up.
However yesterday confirmed what alot of us know deep down but don't want to accept. He isn't aggressive enough to be a top defender or even a good one. He had several opportunities to stop Zaha yesterday on the equaliser & he stood off & then to let that cross come in was abysmal.
To be a top defender you need to have a nasty streak. All of them have it. They'll do whatever it takes to protect the goal. Whether that be take a kick or give one.
Stones simply us too soft mentally & physically. Someone got it bang on after the match on the Port vale thread.
Rather than confronting that tool who ridiculed him on Twitter in the dressing room after the game he hid. Says it all really. Could you imagine Komps or Terry or Vidic or Cannavaro or Baresi etc. Doing that?!
I'm not saying punch him or whatever but show some fight & speak up at least.
Stones confidence looks shot & he hasn't the heart to turn it round. In the summer him & Nico need to go for me.
Also Garcia had done enough to be kept in. He should've been kept in until if/when he doesn't perform. Being dropped for Stones makes no sense. Maybe Pep us giving him a last chance between now & the summer to show his can step up that's the only reason I can think of playing him.
I sincerely hope Stones makes me eat my words but I think he'll be gone in the summer.
