Our best centre-back duo?

[Lavinda Past]

Stones and Ake for me. Two 'proper' proactive footballers who would add value playing any position on the pitch.

Akanji looks a class act and a potential leader for the future. Next season, he will be even better.

Dias and Laporte are very good defenders but a bit too reactive for my liking, particularly Laporte.

Five top players... It's a nice problem to have.

 

[alexmcity]

Akanji and Laporte will start the biggest games if both are fit and on form.

Why?

Because they are the best at passing between the lines (Pep himself said it) and thus are the best fit against sides intending to press and attack us. Laporte, in particular, is the only one with a great left leg (we missed him in both games vs Liverpool this season). If he manages to recover from the injury (which is not a given, for this season at least) and regains form, he'll start a lot of big games.

 

[DruntBlunt]

Lets enjoy it while we can. I don't see us being able to keep five top-class CBs happy for any lenght of time. Very happy we didn't load off Ake in the summer.

 

[Dr Jacoby]

Dunne and Distin

 

[Cotton Weave Blue]

Different Horses for different courses

Stones-Laporte-Akanji are best for playing through the lines
Stones-Akanji-Ake for pace and all versatile across the back line
Dias-Ake-Stones stand out Aerial duels
Laporte-Akanji cross field balls
Dias-Ake Aggression
Dias stands out as the overall leader and organiser

 

[BigDog82]

Dias and Stones. Dias organising playing a more traditional 'stopper' role with Stones taking more risks with his passing

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Exactly!

When you see these FOOTBALLERS (not just defenders) play, your ranking is spot on.

Blasphemy though it may be, Dias feels a step behind the other 4 right now. If being gee’d up or barking out praise or going to ground to block a shot were worth more, he’d be Top Dog, but it’s so much more and the technical brilliance of Akanji & Ake have been absolutely superb this season, and Ake has been our most dangerous Centre Half at dead balls, too.

Dias was worth his transfer fee alone for his organisation and leadership when he came in.

The others have now adopted that and so he isn’t as vital as he was when he came in after then2-5 Leicester farce.

He is still an important player in our squad, but not as much as he used to be.

 

[MadchesterCity]

It depends on the opposition and the level of control we will have, a fast forward would maybe mean either Akanji and Ake are required. A strong physical forward may mean Dias is a must.

It’s certainly a lovely problem to have

 

[supercity88]

Blessed with the options we have. Ake is an excellent CB and has that pace and aerial power, but he's not as good as Laporte with the ball at his feet. Akanji is the best RCB we have on current form. Not the best in the air, but amazing with the ball at his feet and reads the game superbly. Dias is a real leader and although his form isn't the best he's so good and can play at RCB or LCB. Stones is incredible on the ball and really underrated defensively. The fact they can help cover the full back roles and we still win games means we're in excellent shape this season, particularly with the young lads Lewis, Gomez and Wilson-Esbrand coming through to support Walker and Cancelo as well. If Phillips can stay fit and cover Rodri and the other midfielders it very much feels like a squad that can win the CL, with options in all areas.

 

[Indaparkside]

Johnny Johnny stones Johnny Johnny stones just like the chant:)