5 | John Stones - 2023/24

[Frankie lad]

He’s like a better Keith Curle.

 

[Coljj]

Just stay fit.

I just don't see how that's possible especially given how active he now is throughout the game in this role.

He's literally the very definition of 'box to box'.

 

[jrb]

I just don't see how that's possible especially given how active he now is throughout the game in this role.

‘He's literally the very definition of 'box to box'.

I thought that was Kyle Walker?

 

[TrentGrisham]

What a player.

 

[Bluewars]

I thought that was Kyle Walker?

Different type of box mate.

 

[Akira]

Genuinely world class.

 

[blue wang]

Classy and very elegant footballer, makes the game look easy.

 

[SkyBlueFlux]

We're blessed that in this squad we have a goalkeeper in Eddie, a defender in Stones, a midfielder in De Bruyne and a striker in Haaland who aren't just world class - they are quite literally reinventing what it means to play those positions. When people ask who the best is in the world in X position, it's hard to even rank these guys because they sit outside of the boundaries occupied by more orthodox players.

John is absolutely unbelievable. He's out there playing chess while everybody else is playing draughts. I absolutely believe our clean sheets correlate strongly to him being in the team, which is an underestimated part of his game - he positions himself well to stop quick transitions and counter-attacks and when he's not there you do tend to notice.

And just to emphasize that point:

Kyle Walker - Starts 23 (2,081 mins) - Clean sheets 4 - Goals conceded 25 - 83 mins/goal
John Stones - Starts 9 (772 mins) - Clean sheets 4 - Goals conceded 5 - 154 mins/goal

 

[OB1]

I just don't see how that's possible especially given how active he now is throughout the game in this role.

He's literally the very definition of 'box to box'.

Pep has to manage his minutes.

 

[Keeper!]

He’s like a better Keith Curle.

I loved Curly but a fit John Stones is a million times better.