supercity88
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 9 Aug 2009
- Messages
- 13,355
Had an interesting debate today about Stones.
When talking of all time Premier League XI central defenders, I would imagine on average he would be around 7th/8th choice in nominations, if that,
The usual elite ones would be Terry, Ferdinand, Vidic, Campbell and then the next ones mentioned would be Stam, Van Dijk, Kompany, even Carvalho but never Stones.
When you compare his career to what the majority would consider the top two, Terry and Ferdinand it is baffling how he isn’t mentioned even near this list.
LEAGUE TITLES
Stones - 6
Ferdinand - 6
Terry - 5
DOMESTIC CUPS
Terry - 8
Stones - 4
Ferdinand - 2
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
All 1
ENGLAND CAPS
Ferdinand - 81
Stones - 79
Terry - 78
ENGLAND SUCCESS
Stones - 2 x Euro finals
Ferdinand and Terry - QF’s
TREBLE WINNER
Stones - 1
Ferdinand and Terry - 0
DOMESTIC TREBLE
Stones - 1
Ferdinand and Terry - 0
Is it simply his injury record that doesn’t give him the plaudits or is it just he hasn’t got the PR like the other two?
There is a high chances Stones could surpass both in all success on paper but I still don’t think he would even come into the debate if they were picking a 40th anniversary team in 2033.
It's who he plays for. There's a real belief anyone looks good in our side. People still think Stones has a mistake in him when he has been not only incredibly consistent, dependable and dominant defensively but one of the best players in the modern era with the ball at his feet and carrying it into midfield. For England he has been solid and under utilised really, in terms of his all around ability and for City to dominate the way he did in an FA Cup final derby and then CL final, most dribbles since Messi for fuck sake, as a CB!!! He is a different class. He has plenty of time left and maybe when he retires he will get the plaudits he deserves. He's not a **** like the two you mention for starters.