5 | John Stones - 2024/25

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Stiff Little Wingers said:
Me too but only if his time is properly managed. I think people are talking too casually about ditching a true rolls Royce of a playet
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Unfortunately, if you’re wanting to get somewhere, a vintage Roller that’s jacked up in the garage is less use than a brand new BMW with a full tank
 
I'd love to keep him on the condition he either retires from England or isn't pushing fr game time to make the squad.

We basically would treat him as a "break glass in emergency" bench player. Roll him out for cup matches to get lower intensity minutes in his wheatabix legs then back in the emergency case he goes until we need him. No 2 games back to back or banking on him for a run of fixtures. He's no longer first choice, but if we have a big game looming with a Diaz out or a rodri out, in he goes.

It's a shame as when fit he's better than Dias and one of the best in the world... But either we can't carry him in the squad with his record, or we make special dispensation for his place in the squad - which he would have to reciprocate by making his own sacrifices
 
LongsightM13 said:
He’s off back to Everton if they agree his wages, but they’re trying to lowball us with a pisstake 40% loan offer atm

City want the lot paid up and a £10m loan fee. Effectively a free with a tiny profit

World Cup year so he’ll need to budge on the wages if he can stay fit
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According to who?
 
FromPollockToSilva said:
Unfortunately, if you’re wanting to get somewhere, a vintage Roller that’s jacked up in the garage is less use than a brand new BMW with a full tank
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Agree, it’s less use than a rusty old Lada but I still think if he can get properly fit and then his game time managed then he’s still a great asset for us.
If however, he can’t actually get to the level of fitness needed then that’s a different matter
 
We aren't a charitable organisation for injured footballers and John has been injured for long periods. Yes has a fantastic player and model professional but we cannot let our sentimental heart rule our head. He's 31 now and unlikely to get over his almost constant niggling injuries that have prevented him from missing so many games. Club legend but time to let him go I think.
 
BlueMoonRisin’ said:
We aren't a charitable organisation for injured footballers and John has been injured for long periods. Yes has a fantastic player and model professional but we cannot let our sentimental heart rule our head. He's 31 now and unlikely to get over his almost constant niggling injuries that have prevented him from missing so many games. Club legend but time to let him go I think.
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But what about the Rolls Royce player thing?
 
mdj0520 said:
We basically would treat him as a "break glass in emergency" bench player. Roll him out for cup matches to get lower intensity minutes in his wheatabix legs then back in the emergency case he goes until we need him. No 2 games back to back or banking on him for a run of fixtures. He's no longer first choice, but if we have a big game looming with a Diaz out or a rodri out, in he goes.
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This always seems like a good plan at first, but this isn’t really good from a fitness perspective. I don’t think you can truly be match fit at a high level if you’re not playing at least somewhat regularly - and I also think you’re somewhat more prone to injuries in that scenario. As much as I like him, having someone not regularly available puts more pressure on other players. We can’t be running one group of players into the ground because we have a group that isn’t consistently available. I’m not necessarily saying he needs to go, but I think there needs to be a good plan that sustainable. Is he interested in coaching long term?
 
Fiftyyearsandcounting said:
One of my clients was a RR mechanic, sent abroad to fix any mechanical issues.
His favourite expression was always "A Rolls Royce does not break down...it just fails to start"
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Can he do something about this particular Rolls Royce? It hasn't started for about three seasons now
 
Cobwebcat said:
Stones going to CWC! Must bit near fit.
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Seems like it, but for how long... I kid.

That squad just seems like everyone bar Grealish, so not much of a indicator of who stays or goes, we know it's already above the non HG limit, so some have to leave like Gundogan.

On Stones, while clearly the most injury prone player we have, he is still HG and kind of like a "free player" in this sense, he doesn't impact squad planning, like Ake.

I've actually gone down from my 100% he is leaving, I think there is a chance he stays?

Yes he is paid well, any future contract has to be on reduced terms due to his injury, but if he becomes a rotation option purely... what an option to have.

He is also just turned 31, technically, could easily play 3 or 4 more years at the top level, just have to reduce his game time expectation.

It felt like when fit, because of how good he is, Pep just played him through straight every game, but we can't do that anymore if he stays.
 
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