Martin Keown has now made a comment about John Stones at Manchester City.
The 57-year-old shared his thoughts when writing for the Daily Mail.
So, what was written about John Stones? Let’s take a look…
What Martin Keown wrote about John Stones
Well, the man from Oxford believes Pep Guardiola has a “big problem” on his hands when the England international is unavailable.
Stones has only been able to start four games this season due to a niggling hip problem, meaning Manuel Akanji has been tasked with carrying out the unique hybrid role between defence and midfield.
Writing about the 29-year-old’s absence, Keown put: “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.
“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.”
Neutrals may respond with the names Rodri, Bernardo Silva or Erling Haaland when asked to select Guardiola’s most important player, although Manchester City’s recent run of form without Stones suggests the £250,000-a-week man could actually be the most vital cog.
Nobody at the Etihad Stadium seems capable of playing The John Stones Role just as well as the Manchester City No.5 does, which will become a growing problem for Guardiola the longer he is without the £47.5m defender.
The Spaniard suggested that Josko Gvardiol could perform the role in future – but not yet.
Manchester City need to find another John Stones
Primarily, Manchester City need to find a way to keep Stones fit.
However, Txiki Begiristain should also be scouring through data to find 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.
