5 | John Stones - 2025/26

[JewelZee]

More a case of pebbles than boulders tonight.
Still love him but think his time here is nearing an end.

Defo not a DM...

 

[uwerosler28]

Absolutely garage, and runs like he has lead in his boots, should only play CB going forward nowhere near mobile enough to be a DM.

 

[cleavers]

He hasn't played in forever

I'm not sure what you watch, but he played 4x90 minute games in November, 2 internationals 2 CL games.

I agree about sticking him in midfield last night, but we can't keep playing Nico every 3 or 4 days, and we were 5-2 up when he came on, so there shouldn't have been any real risk.

 

[Blue Hefner]

He’s never been a centre midfielder
Going back years he played DM at home to Palace and wasn’t good enough. Tried it V Villa away last season and got run over - playing right back it centre back then going into midfield is different to what he was asked to do yesterday

We have a big problem in terms of options and physicality in midfield. Wether that be unsuitability, being binned off or injury

 

[merz]

this true?

 

[SiMCFC]

Absolutely love the fella for what He has achieved at City but he's another player who has aged quickly with his injuries and I think his time is done unfortunately.

 

[Eccles Blue]

Finished. Absolutely finished.

Thanks for the memories John.

Post office.

 

[city9320]

 

[K-Bo]

Extending would be crazy

 

[uwerosler28]

View attachment 176648
this true?

Maldini was famously quoted as saying if he had to make a tackle then he had already made a mistake, great defenders are all about positioning not Nigel De Jong style sliding tackles.

 

[decmancity]

Sad way to finish his career with us, good luck to him. If someone wants to take a punt in Jan and John thinks he needs the gametime for the World Cup then im not against him going.

 

[Alexia_Ko]

Maldini was famously quoted as saying if he had to make a tackle then he had already made a mistake, great defenders are all about positioning not Nigel De Jong style sliding tackles.

the statement stands when your midfield is dominant. Not when it’s as porous as ours. I watched Stones vs Fulham get ran past about what felt like every time a player got close to him.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

I’m flabbergasted by this news. Shocked and stunned.

 

[uwerosler28]

the statement stands when your midfield is dominant. Not when it’s as porous as ours. I watched Stones vs Fulham get ran past about what felt like every time a player got close to him.

He wasn't playing as a defender that game

 

[tackeds]

Oh Johnny

 

[red 2 hats]

Best centre half in the premiership on his day, unfortunately for us and him, he's made of glass.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Could have been one of the greatest defenders in the world if injuries hadn't ruined him.

It maybe time to pay him up. Maybe offer him coaching training to develop a new career. Unless he wants to try and find another club. Even with his injury record some would have him.

 

[cookster]

Rolls Royce in his prime but, he's a lame duck. Contract up on the Summer, thanks for the memories John.

 

[Alexia_Ko]

He wasn't playing as a defender that game

Exactly so maldini’s statement doesn’t apply to him. As a midfielder in the PL you can’t not make tackles. That’s why we need a physical midfielder.

 

[eastmanc]

Great player.