John Stones

[BlueToffee]

How many times does he have to say he wants to leave before you get the message though? Last season, he looked like a £500k player, not a £50m one. The worst mistake we made was not showing Yaya the exit door when he started agitating for a move. Quality player, but we've played with 10 men for most of the last 2 seasons and it's cost us.

The power is with the players and it's really not worth pretending otherwise anymore. Once a player says they want out, get the best price you can but look forwards for a replacement. Pretending Stones is a key part of your plans for next season won't help you, regardless of us. And if he stays, are you convinced he'll be the true professional regardless? I wouldn't trust any player any more

We have got the message and he's been told he can leave - providing a club matches our value which appears to be round £50mill. We are not pretending he is part of our plans but it would be incredibly stupid not to include him in pre-season as if the move breaks down for some reason, we are left with a player who hasn't had a pre-season and is not match fit starting games. Plus Jags is injured so we only have Stones and Funes Mori (apart from the youngsters). By all accounts he is a professional lad, but I don't trust any of them either so only time will tell.

 

[Damien10]

I really do think in this crazy price window he is worth 45m with 5 in adds!

I believe Mangalas potential when it comes to defensive ability is far greater then Stones.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

I believe Mangalas potential when it comes to defensive ability is far greater then Stones.

But who would fit Pep's style of play better?

 

[leewill31]

Ferdinand cost around £18 million then £35 million on potential and that was over 13 years ago so if we pay £50 million now for stones is it really that crazy a price i dont think so personally.

 

[Damien10]

But who would fit Pep's style of play better?

I am unsure, it's impossible to say. Can Mangala be coached to be comfortable in possession? Many questions would need to be answered.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Everything we've done since the takeover has been building up to Pep being our manager. As much as I'd like us to walk away from deals where teams are clearly ripping us off, you don't want to bring a manager like that in and then not do everything you can to get him the players he wants.

If Pep was so desperate for Stones that money was no object, City would pay whatever it took.

 

[daztrueblue91]

But who would fit Pep's style of play better?

Surely that would depend who we are playing.

It's often been said that Pep picks players based upon the opposition. Therefore if we were playing United or Chelsea with Ibra or Costa up top then I'd choose Manga over Stones and Otamendi every day of the week.

Regardless of whether we sign Stones, I still think Mangala could have a future here. Unless the club need to offload him for financial reasons.

 

[BlueToffee]

What's your thought of Stones as a player, do you think he's worth the £50m Everton are asking?

Do you think his supposed 'mediocre' last season was the after effects of not getting his move to Chelsea or because Martinez was clueless where defending is concerned?

I'm a huge fan, last season affected everyone, not just Stones and don't forget he is one of the younger players so they will have dips in form anyway. Baines/Coleman looked a shadow of their former selves, McCarthy was nowhere to be seen and that same defence (aside from Stones) that were quite tight under Moyes, looked terrible. Martinez defensive structure was non existent and his goals conceded stats from each club blacked that up.

 

[Damien10]

Ferdinand cost around £18 million then £35 million on potential and that was over 13 years ago so if we pay £50 million now for stones is it really that crazy a price i dont think so personally.

Ferdinand could defend, it may hurt for some people to say this but Ferdinand was a great defender who could also play. Pep would of loved him. Stones has a long long long way before he could be compared to Ferdinand.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

If Pep was so desperate for Stones that money was no object, City would pay whatever it took.

And they probably will. But you don't spaff your load straight away. You still try and get the best price you can. My guess is that we'll end up with something similar to the Sterling deal.