5 | John Stones - 2025/26

[nicko]

He’s played the full 90 twice in 4 days. Would be surprised if he’s fit for more than 90 minutes before Christmas.
I’m pro-England but it’s ridiculous and wrong to do that to an acutely injury prone player. We will pay the penalty.

 

[sarcastico]

Tuchel is an asshole. Played both him and Nico for full 90's in meaningless games.

 

[waspish]

O’Reily is 20 has 5/6 days rest stones wise pep will have him on the bench

 

[northmr8]

Realistically he isnt playing for us until the next CL match anyway so don't see the issue with him playing both

 

[Cityfan]

He's not played much for us this season and our next game isn't for six days. I actually think two games will help him get form.

 

[WallyA]

Those games were actually good for us and Stones, he needed minutes in because he is not a starter for us.

I wish Ake got those minutes.

 

[Eccles Blue]

John Boy and Nico were the best two English players against Albania with Phil a very definite third.
IMHO.

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

John was one of our better players last night along with Nico G

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

John was one of our better players last night along with Nico G

He was alright. Far to slow on the ball tho I thought

 

[mccity]

Nothing of note about his performance last night, but I have noticed that he has a habit of always been a foot or two behind the rest of the defensive line, a bit like Walker used to do in his final couple of years. Hopefully that doesn't lead to offside traps backfiring

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

He was alright. Far to slow on the ball tho I thought

Didn't help with his partner next to him who's slower than my 70 year old dad

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

Didn't help with his partner next to him who's slower than my 70 year old dad

Both were slow on the ball. Was frustrating

 

[Gorbachev]

Nothing of note about his performance last night, but I have noticed that he has a habit of always been a foot or two behind the rest of the defensive line, a bit like Walker used to do in his final couple of years. Hopefully that doesn't lead to offside traps backfiring

It's overcompensating for declining physical attributes.

Every defender does it at the back end of their career.

Like you said, Walker did it.

Both Stones and Ake are finished at this level now.

 

[alexmcity]

Stones made several outstanding passes, including that to Savinho which created one of our best chances in the game. But he was taking too many touches on the ball, which slowed down our build up play and made it easier for Leverkusen to defend.

I wouldn't blame any of the players, though. Pep's selection made it difficult for anyone, experienced or young. Rotation was necessary but not to that extent.

 

[richardtheref]

I thought he was the main reason for our slow build up last night.

 

[Stelea]

Just like Dias does, it took Stones and Ake an eternity to bring the ball out of defence and to make a pass