City fans writing John Stones off too early?

[SebastianBlue]

I keep reading Stones being completely written off.

But if we’re going to win the Champions League this season, I think he’s absolutely key to it.

People forget he started more games than Kompany in the Centurions season. And started 50% more games than Kompany in the Domestic Treble season.

He was easily England’s best centre back in the World Cup and was an automatic starter, way ahead of Slab Head.

He’s easily our best defender on the ball and our build up play from the back invariably starts with him.

He’s got an incredible record alongside Laporte, they complement each other so well. Laporte attacks on the front foot, allowing Stones to sweep in behind.

He’s not capable of leading the line himself, and should never play alongside Otamendi ever again. But alongside Laporte, that’s a combination with a proven track record of winning big games and winning trophies.

I like Garcia, and don’t mind Otamendi as a 4th choice back up. Fernandinho is a City legend, but we’ve never looked entirely comfortable with him at centre back.

I just can’t see us going all the way to winning the CL with any of those at centre back.

But Stones alongside Laporte, if they can both stay fit and in form, they’re the best chance we’ve got.

As a so-called “Stones apologist” that was run out of his performance thread for trying to reasonably argue these and a few other points (including that he has plenty of time to get his head sorted, which in my opinion is the only thing really holding him back, and that nothing is helped by supporters turning on him as quite a few have), when many just wanted to hurl (at times very unsavoury) abuse, I support this message.

That said, I am not sure Pep will call on him for the CL, or really many games for the rest of our 19/20 campaign. But — and I am one of the very few in this camp — I would not be unhappy if he is still with us for next season. I would give him one more chance this coming year after a tumultuous last 12 months, giving him the opportunity to grow as a person and a player; if he doesn’t rise to the occasion then sell him. The market will likely be better then, anyway, even given he’ll be in the last year of his contract.

 

[MichaelFrontzeck'sBathroom]

If our CL hopes rely on this wet lettuce we might as well not bother turning up against madrid. I thought he was captain material once upon a time, how wrong I was

Some on here just refuse to accept that he is nowhere near good enough, I like the rest had high hopes for him before his bad injury which he hasn't ever recovered from (mentally).

 

[01cravend]

He's not remotely Improved in his 4 years with us. You could see at Everton that he was never going to be an elite CB, he was hyped because he was an English CB that didnt lump it up the pitch everytime he was under a bit of pressure. Pep liked him because despite that stubbornness to never kick the ball out of play ect, that cost his team goals on a fair few occasions, he never changed his ways(hence the big balls praise).

Remember when Pep used to bark instructions at him? Pull him to the side for instructions during games? Pep believed he could make a player out of him. Those moments became rarer and then stopped and now he's completely out the team. Pep has no faith in him anymore. The moment that was apparent for me was when Pep gave reasons to why each CB played(Otamendi for his winning duels for example) but he left Stones out completely. Stones is done here as he's simply not good enough, it happens.

 

[vin]

Always injured.. but when he's not injured he's playing shit. He's weak as piss and had 4 seasons to improve but instead he's gone backwards. He'll never make it at City and if he wasn't English he would have gone a year ago. Shite.

 

[Vienna_70]

I keep reading Stones being completely written off.

But if we’re going to win the Champions League this season, I think he’s absolutely key to it.

People forget he started more games than Kompany in the Centurions season. And started 50% more games than Kompany in the Domestic Treble season.

He was easily England’s best centre back in the World Cup and was an automatic starter, way ahead of Slab Head.

He’s easily our best defender on the ball and our build up play from the back invariably starts with him.

He’s got an incredible record alongside Laporte, they complement each other so well. Laporte attacks on the front foot, allowing Stones to sweep in behind.

He’s not capable of leading the line himself, and should never play alongside Otamendi ever again. But alongside Laporte, that’s a combination with a proven track record of winning big games and winning trophies.

I like Garcia, and don’t mind Otamendi as a 4th choice back up. Fernandinho is a City legend, but we’ve never looked entirely comfortable with him at centre back.

I just can’t see us going all the way to winning the CL with any of those at centre back.

But Stones alongside Laporte, if they can both stay fit and in form, they’re the best chance we’ve got.

That’s the key phrase, isn’t it?

I think it was at the beginning of the Centurions' season, John was in imperious form and playing as the "sweeper" in a back three. Then came the international break, and he was the only member of the entire squad, who played every minute of both games. Subsequently, in our first game, Stones was injured and it has been an injury-ravaged time for him ever since.

As soon as he returns to the side and starts to recover his form, he’s hurt again.

I love John Stones as a player and agree that his partnership with Laporte is great, when they’re at their best.

I desperately hope he can get back into the team and stay there.

 

[Bill Walker]

Always liked Stones, class player.
Sadly he seems to have lost it.
It's unreal how such a player can regress so much.
I don't think Pep will play him again.
Should be sold this summer.

 

[Claytop]

Always injured.. but when he's not injured he's playing shit. He's weak as piss and had 4 seasons to improve but instead he's gone backwards. He'll never make it at City and if he wasn't English he would have gone a year ago. Shite.

Shall I put you down in the 'not a fan' camp then?

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

When fit and in form he’s class. Him and Laporte looked great as a partnership.

I would much rather keep stones and try and get him in the team again

 

[BLUEMATT23]

Always injured.. but when he's not injured he's playing shit. He's weak as piss and had 4 seasons to improve but instead he's gone backwards. He'll never make it at City and if he wasn't English he would have gone a year ago. Shite.

To be fair he may have mental health issues - to say weak as piss is a bit low.
He genuinely may not like people like Pep barking at him every game and people shouting at him.
I certainly wouldn't.

 

[mccity]

He's one of a small army of our players that's absolutely amazing when confident, but for their own reasons consistently struggle for confidence.

Mendy, Sterling, Jesus, Bernardo are currently the others. Chances are we'll have other similar players as the years go by.

Given how good they can all be, I'm willing and ready to back them and support them until the day they leave.