A forgotten Man City star might disrupt Pep Guardiola’s defensive schemes.
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Forgotten Man City star can shake up Pep Guardiola plans in defence
Manchester City know how good John Stones is, but it has been a while since they – unlike England – saw the best of him
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Cole Palmer of Chelsea interacts with Kyle Walker and John Stones of Manchester City at full time during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City FC at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
John Stones has barely been seen in the Manchester City team in 2024
Lee Carsley mentioned two or three changes from his first line-up as England manager, and it would be no surprise if one of those was to bring John Stones into the XI.
A late substitute against Ireland, Stones played in all eight matches at the European Championship in the summer and is widely regarded as England’s best defender. With just 45 minutes of football at City this season before the international fixtures, the England matches could have helped Stones to play his way in to Pep Guardiola’s plans again.
City will certainly hope so. That performance in the 2023 Champions League final will go down as an all-timer, yet England have seen more from Stones than City have for some time now.
A starter in eight of England’s last nine matches, the former Barnsley defender has managed just one in City’s last nine. To get his last nine starts up for the club, you have to go back to February 20 – nearly seven months ago.
Stones at his best will get into any team in world football, and makes the best team in world football considerably better. His ability and intelligence with his hybrid role can give City more control of games than they can manage without him.
They have had to manage without him at his best for quite some time though, and in that period they have managed very well. Manu Akanji and Ruben Dias are excellent together in defence, Kyle Walker laid claim to the right-back spot for most of last season and Rico Lewis – the youngster who introduced the role that Stones made his own in the Treble campaign – has grabbed it with both hands at the beginning of this season.
Stones will certainly get opportunities to play given the crowded schedule, and he can make a place in the team his own again. The 30-year-old is one of those players who can shake up Guardiola’s plans quicker than most because of how much he can improve the XI in a short space of time.
The competition listed above means it will not be a given though. Stones may be a lock for the England team but as he moves towards 18 months remaining on his contract at the Etihad all options are still on the table.
City’s No.5 will always be remembered for his performance in Istanbul (and that goalline clearance against Liverpool in 2019) but as he remains so loved by the fanbase it would be nice if there were more iconic moments to come and City begin again to get the Stones that is so reliable for England.
Man City Champions League special
Manchester City want their European crown back. And this Manchester Evening News guide to the competition is the perfect companion to guide City fans through the new-look tournament.
In what could be the last try for Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne and a number of the squad that have won the last four Premier League titles, City are determined to go all the way once more in Europe.
2023 finalists Inter Milan, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are among the eight teams City must face in a new first phase that features 36 teams in one giant mini-league. City will hope and expect to make their way through the league phase and hopefully go all the way.
The Manchester Evening News will be there every step of the way to cover Guardiola’s bid for glory as City look to put last season’s disappointment behind them and show that they are the best team on the continent.
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