John Stones

[SWP's back]

I think he probably would. Mangala isn't back in training yet, and Kompany is still injured. It'd be between Adarabioyo, Denayer and Stones (assuming we get him) to partner Otamendi, and I suspect Stones would get the nod.

You still think he will go with four at the back?

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Clichy didn't go to the Euro's so he was back on Pep's first day.

Mangala and Sagna are still on holiday because of their Euro 16 commitments.

Haha I'm having a mare this morning, think I've not woken up yet ;)

 

[mosssideblue]

I think he probably would. Mangala isn't back in training yet, and Kompany is still injured. It'd be between Adarabioyo, Denayer and Stones (assuming we get him) to partner Otamendi, and I suspect Stones would get the nod.

My bad. I thought the poster was asking would he go straight into the line up for Sunderland

 

[cibaman]

I think he probably would. Mangala isn't back in training yet, and Kompany is still injured. It'd be between Adarabioyo, Denayer and Stones (assuming we get him) to partner Otamendi, and I suspect Stones would get the nod.

Its a tricky one. Stones and Mangala are probably at a similar stage in terms of fitness. Mangala & Otamendi are used to playing together, even if not in Pep's system. If we didn't have the CL qualifiers to contend with, I don't think Mangala would play again for City. But he might be the safer option in August until Stones has a few weeks of training with Pep. Similarly, I think the CL qualifiers makes it less likely, but not impossible, that either Tosin or Denayer will start.

 

[Gundogan's Moustache]

Its a tricky one. Stones and Mangala are probably at a similar stage in terms of fitness. Mangala & Otamendi are used to playing together, even if not in Pep's system. If we didn't have the CL qualifiers to contend with, I don't think Mangala would play again for City. But he might be the safer option in August until Stones has a few weeks of training with Pep. Similarly, I think the CL qualifiers makes it less likely, but not impossible, that either Tosin or Denayer will start.

Id disagree about Mangala being as match fit as stones. The last time Mangala would of played 90 minutes will be coming up to 3 months by the time the season starts , at least stones has been getting match fit at Everton

 

[mosssideblue]

I'd think he definitely would.

Not against Sunderland, which is what I thought I was responding to. After that, if we are playing 4 at the back, I think it will be Vinnie (if fit) and Ota taking the lions share of games

 

[Ric]

My bad. I thought the poster was asking would he go straight into the line up for Sunderland

Sorry mate - I was talking about the Sunderland game too.

 

[domalino]

Id disagree about Mangala being as match fit as stones. The last time Mangala would of played 90 minutes will be coming up to 3 months by the time the season starts

The last time John Stones played 90 minutes was in May.

 

[Ric]

You still think he will go with four at the back?

Good point. I'm just assuming he will, but it's difficult to say for certain. He's experimented a bit in the friendlies so far, but I'd be surprised if he started with a back three. I think he'll wait until all the centre halves are fit before trying that competitively.

 

[lazerblue]

Yep. Luckily I'm not telling him what to do.

Seeing as I've never met or spoken to him neither am I