#5 | John Stones - 2020/21 Performances

[Saddleworth2]

He looks quicker than he ever has. Outpaced everyone that tried him
He looks more determined than he ever has. throwing himself at the ball and putting himself about physically.
I think he's dropped the "I have to pass the ball out from the back every time as that's how I made my name and what is expected of me" and is now more focused on protecting his goal and if putting the ball in row z is the better option, that's the one he is now taking.
Finally, in recent seasons he'd play single games where he wouldn't back off until oppo got a shot away and you'd think why doesn't he play like that more often as he'd revert to type the next game. Now he's engaging opponents when needed and making them try and earn a shot at our goal. I can't think of a single moment this season he's backed off leading to a shot on our goal.

From being lower in the pecking order than a kid that doesn't want to be here and a 34 year old midfielder to what he's showing now is nothing short of remarkable. If I was a sport psychologist that worked with him I'd be purring.

I really believe that watching and listening to Dias, who is in his ear constantly, has given him another 10% on top of the improvements he has made through sheer hard work.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Ross Barkley knows.

 

[twosips]

Didn't really come out at the time, but heard multiple pretty well sourced rumours that City tried to move him on the summer... they probably weren't even wrong to do it either at the time! Quite remarkable turnaround and fair fucks to the lad. Credit has to go to him entirely.

 

[Akira]

Didn't really come out at the time, but heard multiple pretty well sourced rumours that City tried to move him on the summer... they probably weren't even wrong to do it either at the time! Quite remarkable turnaround and fair fucks to the lad. Credit has to go to him entirely.

Yep. The club wasn't really at fault deciding to let him go.

Fair play to Stones, this is the club he wants to play at, this is the squad he wants to play with, this is the manager he wants to play for. He stayed, fought, and rose to the challenge, immensely.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Didn't really come out at the time, but heard multiple pretty well sourced rumours that City tried to move him on the summer... they probably weren't even wrong to do it either at the time! Quite remarkable turnaround and fair fucks to the lad. Credit has to go to him entirely.

In many ways, Stones’ seemingly obvious departure was the reason we opted for Ake... he’s home grown whilst also provided left sided cover for Laporte. But then Garcia decided to leave (please hurry up with that btw) and that seemed to end the Stones-out push. Everything fell into place for him when Garcia turned his back on us. We needed him to stay after that and boy did he step up!

 

[Sir Joe Aguero]

Contract. Now.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

He speaks very well in these post-match interviews. Pep seems to put him forward for them every week.

 

[domalino]

 

[kaz7]

Not backing off now , controlled staying on his feet , concentrated and with a brilliant motivator in his ear

 

[mccity]

Just leaving this here.

A pint to the gent that makes a GIF of Stones leaving Pogba for dead.

I tried again..