John Stones

[Neville Kneville]

Even though I disagree with your claim, and have used video to show it was primarily the midfielder who inexplicable decided to let Martial go that was really at fault. But that's neither here nor there. We'll agree to disagree.

The point here is anytime anyone wants to argue how shitty Stones is, they base it on single instances in games across a season. The truth is you could do the same for Kompany. The inexplicable no man's land missed header against Aston Villa, the shank against Liverpool, th crocrodile necking against Bayern etc. If I search my brain long enough I can come up with 20 example s easy. And if I decide to start using the silly logic of trying to accuse him for being at fault anytime he is around the area, I can easily add another 20 more. And this wouldn't include the ones that didn't lead to goals.

It is all nice and good we love Denayer and he will develop, but it's not just playing it in the back, it's organizing players to comfortably beat presses. Even Kompany at 30 isn't doing that. This is a skill far beyond his age. I don't know why you guys don't see it. It's that clear


No I don't. But I can assure you it's probably no more than Ota's, Mangalas or any averagely good defender in the league. And there in lies the error in reasoning. Reputation has led many to conclude he loses his man anymore than say Kompany. He doesn't. They lose their men at about the same rate.

Actually if history is prelude, most here would have been all about him, as he wouldn't have the made up commentary based bad reputation... For fuck sake, Mangala!!!!


On this we absolutely agree. He's done nothing to deserve the hype of being a goal causing shit defender.
Well don't think he is miles off. Expensive? Yes. Good? I have no doubts.

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.

 

[bluesince76]

Look don't sign Stones and I'll explain to Pep when I see him. No panic.

Until we actually make a bid or see a public statement, we don't even know we want him. There's been speculation in the papers, but if we went with what we've read, we'd have a squad of about 70 players come August.

I'm still not convinced about his basic defensive abilities, but if Pep wants him, I hope we get him. But we don't even know he wants him yet.

 

[SPIDERBOY]

but if we went with what we've read, we'd have a squad of about 70 players come August.

69 of them being "shit,too expensive or sick notes" ;)

 

[OB1]

Until we actually make a bid or see a public statement, we don't even know we want him. There's been speculation in the papers, but if we went with what we've read, we'd have a squad of about 70 players come August.

I'm still not convinced about his basic defensive abilities, but if Pep wants him, I hope we get him. But we don't even know he wants him yet.

I think it is reasonably safe to assume that City have a strong interest in Stones and that he is receptive to the idea of swapping royal blue for sky blue but, as always with this sort of thing, until a deal is actually done, it is best not to get carried away one way or another, imo.

What this debate and plenty of other player specific ones show, is that a lot of us don't have a clue about how good or bad any number of players are: the divergence in views is fascinating and we can't all be right. On this player, I will trust the views of the likes of Pep and Alan Hansen over but even they get things wrong.

 

[Marvin]

You'll also find that because Utd are also linked, the redmooners wont all be rushing in to tell us he's rubbish.

 

[TonyM]

Snub us Stones. Snub us!

 

[Ryanl2801]

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

If true it looks like Laporte will also join, meaning Mangala is out, I hope city insert a buy back clause, Mangala will be class with guidance from a good manager.

 

[Ryanl2801]

Ok if this is true somebody beyond DeMichelis is going to be leaving. And this is not including Denayer.

Most likely be Mangala, Denayer can play right back and has done a lot, so he'll more then likely be used in that role.

 

[Ryanl2801]

Again I think city are risking ALOT on two young cb's in Laporte and Stones, All the positive media had a negative effect on stones, he already started to think he was John Terry and he had a terrible end to the season, making a lot of defensive mistakes, yes that could be coached out of him but at his price tag he should be ready to go. Laporte is a player like stones but would be new to the prem, which is a lot more faster and physical then Spain, yeah he is good on the ball but that's easier to do in Spain when there's not as much pressure on the player.", are we really going to partner them up next season, I think that's a bad partnership to start the season with.

 

[TRUE BLUE NO1]

Again I think city are risking ALOT on two young cb's in Laporte and Stones, All the positive media had a negative effect on stones, he already started to think he was John Terry and he had a terrible end to the season, making a lot of defensive mistakes, yes that could be coached out of him but at his price tag he should be ready to go. Laporte is a player like stones but would be new to the prem, which is a lot more faster and physical then Spain, yeah he is good on the ball but that's easier to do in Spain when there's not as much pressure on the player.", are we really going to partner them up next season, I think that's a bad partnership to start the season with.

This is where having one of the best managers in the world comes in...the potential is there, the system is the right fit and the best manager to bring out those talents.....Pep wants these players, so must feel his system will bring out the best in them....I feel the same about Sane(winger)...young with lots of potential and if Pep feels the system and his coaching will make each of these players world class....then his track record shows Pep can do it! ; )

 

[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.