What Martin Keown wrote about John Stones
When the England international is unavailable, Pep Guardiola, according to the guy from Oxford, has a “big problem” on his hands.
Stones has only started four games this season owing to a nagging hip ailment, thus Manuel Akanji has been charged with filling the peculiar hybrid role of defence and midfield.
“The continued absence of Stones — who has started just four games this season due to a hip injury and was an unused substitute on Sunday — has been a big problem for City, along with their failure to finish the chances they are creating,” Keown wrote about the 29-year-old’s absence.
“We are seeing Akanji being used as the central defender who moves into midfield, but he is badly missed in the backline as a result. That is where you want Akanji, so he can deal with fast counterattacks.”
When asked to pick Guardiola’s most important player, neutrals may choose Rodri, Bernardo Silva, or Erling Haaland, but Manchester City’s recent form without Stones suggests the £250,000-a-week guy may be the most critical component.
Nobody at the Etihad Stadium appears to be capable of playing The John Stones Role as effectively as the Manchester City No.5, which will become an increasing issue for Guardiola the longer he is without the £47.5 million defender.
The Spaniard claimed that Josko Gvardiol may play the role in the future, but not right now.
Manchester City need to find another John Stones
Manchester City must first find a method to keep Stones fit.
Txiki Begiristain, on the other hand, should be combing through statistics to locate the Barnsley-born maestro’s heir.
It is clear that Stones carries huge significance at Manchester City, but sadly, he is fairly injury prone, so the treble winners must find a younger player in possession of similar qualities, to both deputise for the England international while he is at the Etihad Stadium, and also to step into his boots once he departs.
Hopefully, Stones can make a return to the starting XI soon – and stay there.
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