John Stones

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I genuinely feel sorry for people who follow football but can't actually watch it?

I get the biggest kick out of seeing things in players that most players cannot do, certainly in terms related to their age and the experience required for that position.

It's the same reason why I have already seen enough of Julian Weigl to know he can become one of Germany's greatest-ever players, if now handled correctly.

You put me in Lewis Hamilton's McClaren Mercedes and I will probably be able to get it around the circuit but drive it? Most certainly not.

John Stones has an appreciation in possession of the ball that few defenders in the world have.

He sees it. He knows it is the right option. The execution won't be there all the time, but his peripheral view of the options in front of him make him a wonderful prospect.

 

[Dax777]

Sorry but Stones IMO passes like a professional footballer, i.e. like the average defender does. Nothing special.

If Stones comes at an average price for a defender then that's cool but to pay premium for the myth and where he was born is repeating ridiculousness. Same madness as last season with Sterling. We are like a gambler with access to the life savings.

I don't know about price. I just think he is a good footballer.

 

[Gareth Barry Conlon]

I genuinely feel sorry for people who follow football but can't actually watch it?

I get the biggest kick out of seeing things in players that most players cannot do, certainly in terms related to their age and the experience required for that position.

It's the same reason why I have already seen enough of Julian Weigl to know he can become one of Germany's greatest-ever players, if now handled correctly.

You put me in Lewis Hamilton's McClaren Mercedes and I will probably be able to get it around the circuit but drive it? Most certainly not.

John Stones has an appreciation in possession of the ball that few defenders in the world have.

He sees it. He knows it is the right option. The execution won't be there all the time, but his peripheral view of the options in front of him make him a wonderful prospect.

I take it you are coming out in favour of a transfer? I still have doubts! If his 'appreciation' is so good why was he dog turd as a right back?

 

[IBlue]

I genuinely feel sorry for people who follow football but can't actually watch it?

I get the biggest kick out of seeing things in players that most players cannot do, certainly in terms related to their age and the experience required for that position.

It's the same reason why I have already seen enough of Julian Weigl to know he can become one of Germany's greatest-ever players, if now handled correctly.

You put me in Lewis Hamilton's McClaren Mercedes and I will probably be able to get it around the circuit but drive it? Most certainly not.

John Stones has an appreciation in possession of the ball that few defenders in the world have.

He sees it. He knows it is the right option. The execution won't be there all the time, but his peripheral view of the options in front of him make him a wonderful prospect.

With Stones at the back it will negate the need of a midfielder stepping on the CB's toes to start the play, will get us up the pitch quicker and create the extra man. No brainer for me

 

[Dax777]

Whether he becomes a genius defender or not, if you picked Kompany's worst ever ten games defensively, it would be comparable to Stones' typical ten.

There is currently no comparison as defenders. Kompany is the best Stones is average to poor & is proving it pretty much every week. He is also questionable regarding 'bottle' & that is my biggest concern.

It may be possible to iron out many of his defensive flaws but if he's going to stand flat footed whilst a striker jumps above him for a free header, you can't teach that. You can only hope he finds more fight.

That is just false. I've seen Kompany look crappy enough and excused coz of the great things he has done. What makes kompany great, is the great performances he has put up not the shitty ones. When he is shitty, He is horrible. Just like anyone

gave away a penalty against Arsenal, could have done better with both of Barcelona's goals in a 2-1 Champions League defeat and was dispossessed by Philippe Coutinho in the build up to Jordan Henderson's strike for Liverpool at Anfield

Sounds like something you'd read in the media or on here about John Stones. Yeah that was Kompany. When he is bad, he is pretty bad.

 

[IBlue]

I also think he could play in the Busquets role as a central pivot on front of a back 2 with full backs pushing higher up the pitch. Do think he is versatile

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I take it you are coming out in favour of a transfer? I still have doubts! If his 'appreciation' is so good why was he dog turd as a right back?

Because he ain't a right-back. Martinez hanging him out to dry once again.

De Bruyne's appreciation of the ball isn't so bad, I'm equally sure he isn't remotely the same player when he is played wide right, and the position on the field that limits the options he can make.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Nobody mention Kompany and Middlesbrough in the same sentence ;)

How about his needless shoulder barge penalty against Arsenal in 2015 when the player was going away from goal?

His ridiculous attempt to come out of the line against Barcelona, which completely exposed Demichelis for the borderline penalty?

 

[The Blue one!]

Because he ain't a right-back. Martinez hanging him out to dry once again.

De Bruyne's appreciation of the ball isn't so bad, I'm equally sure he isn't remotely the same player when he is played wide right, and the position on the field that limits the options he can make.

Tolm you think we get Stones before the euro?

 

[BlueMedic]

Lol. Watch Mangala on the ball. The moment he gets it he is under constant panic until he passes it on.

Weirdly I see the opposite as the problem with him on the ball, often he looks super calm with it - then just passes it straight to their striker. When he seems panicked on the ball he'll usually get rid somewhere safer, it's when he seems under no pressure & overly confident that he seems at his worst with the ball to me.