John Stones

[hgblue]

I'm struggling to rationalise why we would spend money on a defender who isn't considered better than Chris Smalling....

Lol

 

[magistadreadnought]

Can you imagine the Barca version of bm when pique signed for them in 2008? I think he'll be a great signing so long as he has the puyol type figure (Kompany) to be along side him.

 

[MillionDollarDream]

I know we've all took turns slating him for his obvious mistakes this past season but if that report is true that he wants this wrapped up and wants to be ready for pre season with Pep I'll commend him for that.

 

[g180aj]

I know we've all took turns slating him for his obvious mistakes this past season but if that report is true that he wants this wrapped up and wants to be ready for pre season with Pep I'll commend him for that.

I genuinely haven't slated him at all and was gutted last season at the possibility of him going to Chelsea, as with Sterling I'm made up about him in a city shirt.

 

[Lomas has a lob on]

I'm struggling to rationalise why we would spend money on a defender who isn't considered better than Chris Smalling....

By the unemployed woy hodgson

 

[onceabluealways]

I'm struggling to rationalise why we would spend money on a defender who isn't considered better than Chris Smalling....

I think some need to start seeing the bigger picture tactically here - we no longer just have a manager who wants to find 11 top names on paper and put them on the pitch. There is a clear method to the game he wants to play, and getting a ball playing centre back is absolutely essential to his game plan. The value of a player to fit the system far outweighs the value of the players name on paper - it helps that Stones is also a hell of a talent at 22 years old.

Did you ever watch the video with Pep talking about tactics while at Barcelona? If not you should. He talks specifically about teams who aim to sit back and defend (something his sides will always come up against). He highlighted the importance of leaving one centreback in the backline and pushing one into the middle of the park to outnumber teams in the midfield in these situations, which will eventually lead to creating enough space to move the ball forwards in dangerous areas. The only way we can do that is by having a CB capable of playing football - his philosophy ultimately comes down to being able to outnumbers teams in key areas of the field - a ball playing CB is a must for this to work and a signing of that nature cannot be underestimated (even if you don't completely rate the player defensively - although Stones can clearly defend).

The biggest problem I see at the moment is whether some existing players are good enough at keeping the ball - he seems to work on the basis that 4 players will always keep the ball against 3 players, and 5 against 4 etc. That's a big task for some of the players currently at the club. Stones would not fall into that category - which is why he's worth paying the big money for.

 

[jimharri]

I genuinely haven't skated him at all and was gutted last season at the possibility of him going to Chelsea so as with Sterling I'm made up about him in a city shirt.

That seems a bit fishy.

;-)

 

[Blue Mooner]

By the unemployed woy hodgson

It wasn't just Woy though was it!? I saw no clamour from the mainstream media pundits calling for Stones to take his place - or even Cahill for that matter. That worries me. It either proves one of two things that the media is infested with rags or he's simply not all he is cracked up to be.

By the way I was being facetious with my Smalling comment, I have no doubt that if England places were selected on quality alone that Stones would and should have been selected. The bias to pick rags is one of the reasons why England will never be successful imo.

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

I'm struggling to rationalise why we would spend money on a defender who isn't considered better than Chris Smalling....

by fucking Roy hodgson?

 

[Lomas has a lob on]

It wasn't just Woy though was it!? I saw no clamour from the mainstream media pundits calling for Stones to take his place - or even Cahill for that matter. That worries me. It either proves one of two things that the media is infested with rags or he's simply not all he is cracked up to be.

By the way I was being facetious with my Smalling comment, I have no doubt that if England places were selected on quality alone that Stones would and should have been selected. The bias to pick rags is one of the reasons why England will never be successful imo.

Before the Euros Ferdinand rang into talksport or 5live can't remember which to basically say anyone bashing Stones is clueless! Said something along the lines of him being an amazing player!
Feels wrong agreeing with Ferdinand but I do on this one!

He's not the finished article but the fact that both Guardiola and Mourinho like him, speaks volumes, both top managers but polar opposites in terms of how there teams set up yet both have been willing to spend huge money on him!