Izzy Christiansen has revealed she was “laughing” at the unique brilliance of Manchester City defender John Stones against Bournemouth.
The £47.5 million (Sky Sports) man was one of City’s best performers in their 1-0 victory against Andoni Iraola’s side.
John Stones’ return to the fold has also allowed Pep Guardiola’s men to keep successive clean sheets in the Premier League, which has become a rarity for them this season.
Izzy Christiansen says she was “laughing” at how good Manchester City defender John Stones was against Bournemouth
However, Stones was in stunning touch from an all-round perspective as well, as his passing in tight areas was spectacular as well as his carrying of the ball and penetrative runs from deeper areas of the pitch.
The Englishman, despite starting in the centre of defence emerged as an attacking threat as well for the visitors at the Vitality Stadium.
After Manchester City ground out an essential victory against Bournemouth, Izzy Christiansen lauded John Stones’ showing.
“Myself and Scott [Parker], we actually found ourselves laughing at points during the game, because you’ve got a player like John Stones, he’s a centre-back. He moves into midfield, right and he dictates and he plays”, she said on Sky Sports.
“Today, we’ve seen him, he jumped again and he jumped the forward line and he started playing in behind. In the first half, I think there were two or three penetrating runs that you’d sort of expect from an attacking midfielder.”
“He’s running into spaces and he’s made it happen because like he’s [John Stones] just told us there, he’s figured it out. He’s figured out that he was the spare man and he had to make that movement.”
Scott Parker also hailed the former Everton centre-back as a “freak” due to his uniqueness and a “world-class football player” after the game.
John Stones showcased his understanding of Pep Guardiola’s system is second to none
Firstly, Izzy Christiansen is spot on about John Stones, who proved to be an all-encompassing threat for Manchester City against Bournemouth.
The 29-year-old often found pockets of space, either centrally or out wide to pick up the ball and drive forward to deliver a dangerous cross in for City’s attackers inside the box.
Such is the footballing intelligence of John Stones, who showcased once again on Saturday why his understanding of Pep Guardiola’s system is flawless.
Even when Manchester City were under the cosh in the second half, Stones understood the need to quieten the home crowd and see the game out by keeping hold of the ball for larger periods of the contest.
