John Stones

[Mr Ed (The Stables)]

i know what your saying and that its just guess work but i don't think either of those two would be great in those positions....Ottomendi is just too rash in the challenge and his distribution isn't good enough and I though Mangala defensively could play left back....he would offer nothing going forward from what I've seen (which i think is what Pep likes in his fullbacks)

I don't disagree with anything you've said there. Pep does come up with some things that no one would ever dream of. Lalm left back to midfield.

Fernadinho might even become Centre Back and Deneyer may be a full back.

It will be interesting to see from a fans perspextive how Pep builds and moulds the team into something that reflects him.

Can't wait for him to arrive.

 

[MasterOfKnees]

Personally I don't think Mangala is a Pep defender and I'm okay with replacing him with Stones, he often loses focus, makes some very questionable decisions and his passing is mediocre, task him with building from the back and put him in an even higher line than Pelle's and we'll see a nightmare unfold. He's got all the physical attributes to succeed but you can't give him a better footballing brain and unfortunately that's where he's lacking, he's had two seasons that can be called average at best as he constantly switches between being fantastic or absolute garbage, if there's any time to try and cut our losses it's now.

Stones is far from perfect himself but he's only turning 22 in a few days and can be moulded into becoming a fantastic all-around defender.

 

[2sheikhs]

Two error prone cb's and two prospects. Three if you count Denayer.
Plus a captain that gets injured lacing his boots up.
Taking a gamble on centre backs isn't a good idea.

 

[bobom]

I think Mangala is the one most under threat.

I'd be sorry of Mangala left. I find him on a par with Otamendi but obviously younger and hopefully more able to learn.

 

[Seosa]

I'd be sorry of Mangala left. I find him on a par with Otamendi but obviously younger and hopefully more able to learn.

There's no reason why Pep can't find alternatives for Mangala given both the player's potential and the abilities of the manager. I could easily see him playing further forward. Time'll tell, I don't think he or Otamendi are doomed as some think.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Stones and his agent are trying to push through the move to City apparently, so we should progress on that front soon.

brilliant if true, will be a top player. English and from the north swell

 

[blue_sonic176]

Any ideas on the fee involved? Will help me decide whether to call him shite after 1 game or maybe 5.

 

[vincent]

Skybet latest: City 6/5 rags out to 3-1

 

[Slashman X]

This article in the Telegraph states us and Barca are favourites to sign him

Also says the following:
"City manager Pep Guardiola wants to pair Stones with Aymeric Laporte in a new-look partnership."

"City have been laying the groundwork for a bid for Stones since Guardiola included him high on a list of transfer targets and will attempt to set up a meeting with Everton before the start of the Euros."

 

[MeatHunterrr]

think Mangala will go, we obviously have to balance the books after incomings to bring the net spend down.