5 | John Stones - 2022/23

[Chippy_boy]

Completed all six of his attempted dribbles in the final. The last player to complete more in a UCL final? Lionel Messi.

 

[01cravend]

Hopefully Pep carries this system into next season and John keeps this role. You can see he loves to get forward on the support but lack a bit of the nous of what to do when he receives it around the oppo penalty area. That'll improve with experience and he could go up another level again. One of those things you wish was tried(this role not lone cdm) years ago.

 

[bobom]

Thought he was sensational in that position. Best player on the pitch. I just love how we have a player like this who will put in match saving clearances and tackles one end and put together attacks at the other. Complete!

 

[Akira]

Couldn't have imagined a player just years ago looked bang out of form and destined for an exit, eventually becoming so key for us.

The intelligence a player must have to fleet between so many positions in a single match - knowing when to drop into CB, when to step into DM and when to join the attack.

It's a travesty I see so many pundits forgo Johnny Boulders in their team of the season. Really underrated IMO, pundits know he's good, but they don't seem to know how brilliant he actually is.

Lovely, lovely player.

 

[threespires]

It was marvelous to see a player who was once low on confidence put in a performance like that.

When it looked like collectively we were struggling a bit with the occasion he didn't waver, stuck to the plan, made himself available and never once hid. In its own understated way it was a display of real leadership and personality.

Did himself and us proud.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

He’s been one of our best player or played a crucial role in pretty much all the biggest games we’ve played this season

I honestly think he’s goes down as one of the greatest English defenders of all time

 

[shevtheblue]

Not many players were composed on the ball last night, him and Ruben def were. What a player he is turning out to be, you could always see something was there but he just needed the confidence in his own ability.

 

[BlueTG]

Best defender in Europe.

 

[pudge]

Colossal, from minute one to the last he was the only one without a single blemish in his performance in my opinion

Contract for life

 

[Rhapsody in Blue]

What a season he’s had, Johnny Boulders

 

[Withnail]

Deserves all the plaudits, he has been exceptional in his new role and looks like he has been playing there all his life.

 

[mattcity5]

The reason Harry Maguire looks good for England is John Stones. Does that not say it all about him?

Drives me mad that for years the press would beat on about how great Maguire was for England, ignoring that our best defender was holding his hand through every match.

 

[Legal Alien]

The lad keeps getting better, what a performance last night.

People talk about bringing midfielders in this summer, but his performances (and Rico's) have tempered that, no need imo, keep developing these lads.

 

[MarsLlama]

Shaky first season, then a really good 2017/18 next to Otamendi, only got better from there. Gradually crescendoed into one of the best players in the world.

I can't see why we would get Rice - if we wanted to play a second midfielder alongside Rodri we've got pretty much the best player available for that role.

 

[Chippy_boy]

Shaky first season, then a really good 2017/18 next to Otamendi, only got better from there. Gradually crescendoed into one of the best players in the world.

I can't see why we would get Rice - if we wanted to play a second midfielder alongside Rodri we've got pretty much the best player available for that role.

Absolutely agreed on both points. Stones was amazing in 17/18 and never stopped being amazing but for some reason he just got dropped. And then he had his injury issues etc and struggled to get back regularly into the starting line up, or even in the side. I am so chuffed it's all come good for him because he seems like a thoroughly likeable and decent bloke as well. I hope he stays with us for 10 years.

 

[Gabriel]

Six years since the Monaco games when all and sundry outside the club were labeling him the worst buy ever. How do you like them apples?

 

[lightning Rodri]

 

[jaiguruKun]

There isn't a single player in world football with his skillset. He's completely irreplaceable in this side.

 

[alexmcity]

Phenomenal second half of the season and a great lad to boot. Legend.

 

[bobom]