5 | John Stones - 2023/24

Status
Not open for further replies.
Turns 30 next month and still has two more years on his contract. Hasn't managed 3,000 minutes since the 16-17 season, so how best to utilise him in the next two years? First thing I would be doing would be whispering in his ear that it's time to retire from international football at the end of the summer (same message to Walker/de Bruyne) and to work on a training regime/game plan that maximises the return for both parties.
 
Gabriel said:
Turns 30 next month and still has two more years on his contract. Hasn't managed 3,000 minutes since the 16-17 season, so how best to utilise him in the next two years? First thing I would be doing would be whispering in his ear that it's time to retire from international football at the end of the summer (same message to Walker/de Bruyne) and to work on a training regime/game plan that maximises the return for both parties.
Click to expand...
I know it’s a long shot but with the way his body is, I wish he’d quit the international scene after this season. However, it’s crazy that we’re even thinking it. Just shows how much we’d appreciate his availability. It’s just that, he’s not always available. The only thing one can think of is getting rid of something somewhere i.e. international games.

I know it won’t happen but I can only wish. Couldn’t even imagine we’d be discussing this when Stones is only 29!!
 
Josh_D said:
I know it’s a long shot but with the way his body is, I wish he’d quit the international scene after this season. However, it’s crazy that we’re even thinking it. Just shows how much we’d appreciate his availability. It’s just that, he’s not always available. The only thing one can think of is getting rid of something somewhere i.e. international games.

I know it won’t happen but I can only wish. Couldn’t even imagine we’d be discussing this when Stones is only 29!!
Click to expand...
I don't think it's a ridiculous proposition. He's part of a back six that includes two players who have a history of injury (himself and Ake) and one that will turn 34 on the same day Stones hits 30. At this rate, neither will be in the England World Cup party in 2026, so I think Stones should be looking at a regime similar to that which prolonged Ledley King's career at Tottenham.
 
Gabriel said:
I don't think it's a ridiculous proposition. He's part of a back six that includes two players who have a history of injury (himself and Ake) and one that will turn 34 on the same day Stones hits 30. At this rate, neither will be in the England World Cup party in 2026, so I think Stones should be looking at a regime similar to that which prolonged Ledley King's career at Tottenham.
Click to expand...
I agree with all of that but again, I can’t see it.

Even that **** Henderson is still playing for England. Doubt Stones will make that decision. Ake and Stones are both 29. Despite both having injury issues, I don’t think Ake playing for the Dutch does much harm. He’s available a lot more than Stones but I’m sure everyone would like more availability.
 
Macca77macca said:
You know he “dallies” on the ball for a purpose don’t you? To purposely pull in opposing players and create space? You know he points because he knows exactly where to pass the ball to ?

Never mind
Click to expand...

It doesn’t work though, because 9.9/10 he just plays it square or backwards after taking 5 touches without even opening space up where he points it - great ball playing defenders break the lines sharply within 2/3 touches maximum. It’s something he’s regressed massively in in his time here - at Everton and in his first two years here he would generally look to get the ball into the #8s quickly.

It’s the same when he’s in midfield - his role in there is vastly overrated and if an actual midfielder played those kinds of passes they’d be crucified.

The remainder of his career should be spent exclusively in the centre of defence with the primary focus of playing progressive vertical passes.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top
✖
  AdBlock Detected
Bluemoon relies on advertising to pay our hosting fees. Please support the site by disabling your ad blocking software to help keep the forum sustainable. Thanks.