5 | John Stones - 2024/25

[Eccles Blue]

If that is so, I stand corrected.

I did put "if" at the start of my post, to be fair.

I am not 100% sure that JB didn’t say it as well but I know for sure that Kyle Walker did. :-)

 

[Pedestrian]

He has always had mechanical issues. Some players have them, others don’t.

Remember Jack Wilshire? You just had to look at him to know he was going to have mechanical issues…and they cut his career very short. Constantly struggling to get fit.

The mechanics of the human body are delicate for top athletes, as they’re an entire system that has to operate in balance. Sadly, even the human has no idea where the imbalance is, so they usually have no idea how to fix it. Other times, it’s clear there’s a problem in one area, which you “fix” but it unbalances the entire rest of the system. It’s like a game of “Whack A Mole.”

I wish him nothing but the best, but as I said during the game when he went down, “I think I just saw John Stones’ last game in a City shirt.”

It might be the sad end to what was an outstanding career, that could have thrust him to the very top echelons of the game’s history, but for his injuries. Even so, he’s taste highs few have tasted and looks to have carried a very happy and spirited personality throughout all of his personal and professional ordeals.

My very best to Johnny, Johnny Stones and a special thought for @Eccles Blue today.

Wiltshire was coke/piss head. He did himself no favours off the pitch.

 

[jimharri]

It's such a shame because when he is fit he is a superb player.

Absolutely. That run in during the treble season, when he was moved into a midfield role, was a thing of beauty. I can't remember who got the nod, but he had to have been a contender for Man of the Match at both Wembley and Istanbul. But that's nearly two years ago now. Like a few other City players, he's not the player now that he was then. Time is rapidly catching them up.

 

[Eccles Blue]

Absolutely. That run in during the treble season, when he was moved into a midfield role, was a thing of beauty. I can't remember who got the nod, but he had to have been a contender for Man of the Match at both Wembley and Istanbul. But that's nearly two years ago now. Like a few other City players, he's not the player now that he was then. Time is rapidly catching them up.

Thank you. :-) :-)

 

[jimharri]

Thank you. :-) :-)

I know you might like to think differently, but I didn't say it to placate you. It's the truth!

:-)

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Wiltshire was coke/piss head. He did himself no favours off the pitch.

I’m talking about his persistent injuries, not his recreational drug issues.

 

[eastmanc]

Absolutely. That run in during the treble season, when he was moved into a midfield role, was a thing of beauty. I can't remember who got the nod, but he had to have been a contender for Man of the Match at both Wembley and Istanbul. But that's nearly two years ago now. Like a few other City players, he's not the player now that he was then. Time is rapidly catching them up.

Last week against Real Madrid in the first half, when he played in midfield, he was, for me , City's best player. Like you say time has caught up with him mainly because of his injury record. He's been a really great player for City.

 

[Taylor]

I am beyond being annoyed on John Boy’s behalf. I will just stay loyal to a player who put his all in to his career at our club. His injuries are injuries that could have happened to anyone. As I’ve said many times he does not go out onto the pitch saying I will get injured now!!

So I shall just retire into the corner of the room to grieve in peace and quiet for a City player who deserves our support.

Thank you @ChicagoBlue for your thoughts. :-)

(Tongue in cheek time)
*sits sobbing quietly in the corner of the room*

John has been an excellent servant for this club, he deserves a proper send off if he leaves this summer.

It's a real shame his body has let him down this season. Peps comments were telling today, I'm sure he will thrive at a club with less fixture congestion.

I just can't see him remaining here, although I would love it if he did. He's out best ball playing CB.

 

[Eccles Blue]

I know you might like to think differently, but I didn't say it to placate you. It's the truth!

:-)

Oh I knew that. You, of all people, wouldn’t try to placate me. You are realistic and truthful. Ah la Joe Hart and Nedum as pundits. :-)

 

[bluealf]

Wiltshire was coke/piss head. He did himself no favours off the pitch.

There was a rumour a PL player had failed a drug test and got a 6-12 month ban but it was kept quiet for whatever reason, more than one rumour of that happening tbh

Anyway, he was my favourite candidate for that rumour.

 

[Dazzle84]

It's really gutting that he just can't stay fit. The calm and poise he brings to all around him is second to none and without the injuries I think he'd genuinely be on the Kompany, Silva, Kun & Kev plinth.

I doubt he'll go anywhere in the summer, not least because I can't see anyone paying his wages, so hopefully we get a few glimpses next season, as long as we're not reliant on him. R

 

[jimharri]

It's really gutting that he just can't stay fit. The calm and poise he brings to all around him is second to none and without the injuries I think he'd genuinely be on the Kompany, Silva, Kun & Kev plinth.

I doubt he'll go anywhere in the summer, not least because I can't see anyone paying his wages, so hopefully we get a few glimpses next season, as long as we're not reliant on him. R

If he does stay, it can only be as a squad player. Unless Dr Cugat can work a miracle with him. And miracles are in short supply out in the big bad world. Will Stones be happy playing a bit part role? Unless he's solely driven by money. In that case, he'll be delighted to hang around. Who wouldn't?

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

John Stones has played less PL games in the past 5 years than Luke Shaw.

Such a shame for the lad.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Lovely fella. Super talent.
Falls apart at 1st touch.

Pep nailed it in his presser.
We cannot carry these broken players anymore.

It's tough but that the PL. It's a tough business.

Leave the sentiment to Utd.
We need to move on.

 

[Williecaballerno]

Stones has played the least games he should be gone, keeping players on past their best is why we are in the position we are now, it's even going to get worse as he gets older.

BTW what footballing law says we shouldn't replace say Stones and Ake in one season? It's more of a liability to keep them.

Yeah you go and find takers for them then if it’s that easy. We also can’t get rid of half our defence in one transfer window

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Yeah you go and find takers for them then if it’s that easy. We also can’t get rid of half our defence in one transfer window

Keeping players around who can't stay fit is just causing more problems than it solves.

Do we want to be in this situation again next season, with Stones and Ake, who can't string 3 or 4 games together without getting injured causing us more problems?

Honestly it's time to move on.

 

[Mcfc1.9.8.0]

If he’d have stayed fit all his career barring the odd “normal” injury I reckon he would have as good as if not better than Rodri.

 

[Keeper!]

All due respect to his fans on here the long term future of MCFC is more important, Stones has been a wonderful, but would leave a respected, wealthy and highly decorated footballer thanks to his hard work and us.

Decisions like this are about the continued success of our club and THAT is all that matters.

And the same applies to the likes of KDB, Walker, Bernardo and Ake.

 

[Pedestrian]

I’m talking about his persistent injuries, not his recreational drug issues.

I’d imagine they are linked to some degree.

 

[Akira]

Stones' contract ends on 2026. I think we can keep him for one more season and let him see out the contract.