It's not one season.He has shown his ability over a number of years,even labelled a Rolls Royce by many,but unfortunately those periods have been interrupted by off field issues.....he was Englands best defender in the WC,and he is proving so again in this tournament.Calling him world class after a good season isn't a good look for anyone who claims to know about football, Mangala had a great season at Porto before signing with us, would you have referred to Mangala as world class back then?
If an extended multi-year period of excellent play is the qualifying metric for "world class" - then, for me, John Stones, as good as he has been last year, doesn't merit the accolade. In recent years Stones has been prone to lapses of concentration resulting in extremely costly, entirely avoidable errors; this undermined his performances to the extent that he fell out of favor and wasn't a first choice starter.It's not one season.He has shown his ability over a number of years,even labelled a Rolls Royce by many,but unfortunately those periods have been interrupted by off field issues.....he was Englands best defender in the WC,and he is proving so again in this tournament.
Look around other countries,who would you rather have in your lie up?
It’s a lot more straight forward for me.If an extended multi-year period of excellent play is the qualifying metric for "world class" - then, for me, John Stones, as good as he has been last year, doesn't merit the accolade. In recent years Stones has been prone to lapses of concentration resulting in extremely costly, entirely avoidable errors; this undermined his performances to the extent that he fell out of favor and wasn't a first choice starter.
Kudo's to Stones for almost entirely eliminating these sorts of errors from his game.
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If however - the criterion for "world class" is outstanding play over the course of last season - then Stones is "world class."
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For me, the term "world class" is mostly about last season - and I would rate Stones as "world class."
Mangala never had all the attributes that makes a WC CB, Stones always has and over the last 12 months for both City and England he’s shown it.
You can take your not a good look comment and shove it up your arse, thanks.
You're entitled to your opinion of Stones - it's subjective - no one is wrong.I don't know of many attackers who see the name Stones and start trembling, if anything he is always seen as the weak link, rating him as world class is a joke but let's get behind him anyway, he is a blue after all.
I don’t want them to tremble, I want them to walk off the pitch after 90 mins having not scored and more often than not that’s the case.I don't know of many attackers who see the name Stones and start trembling, if anything he is always seen as the weak link, rating him as world class is a joke but let's get behind him anyway, he is a blue after all.
Dias and a player not to be mentioned on these forums lest drawing the ire of all and sundry for me :-)... Dias/Stones a close second.It’s a lot more straight forward for me.
If I could choose a CB pairing out of every player in the world in that position then it would be Stones and Dias for me. Everyday of the week and twice on a Sunday.
If it’s van dyke you’re talking about it’s a fair shout but I would have Jonny boulders all day long.Dias and a player not to be mentioned on these forums lest drawing the ire of all and sundry for me :-)... Dias/Stones a close second.
Hardly one good seoson. This is the same form he showed in the centurions seaosn before he was injured and hes done it in patches in between.Calling him world class after a good season isn't a good look for anyone who claims to know about football, Mangala had a great season at Porto before signing with us, would you have referred to Mangala as world class back then?