Richard Dunne has praised John Stones for all the progress he has made since joining Manchester City.
City moved to make Stones one of the first signings of the Pep Guardiola era in 2016 when they brought him in from Everton.
The Blues splashed out £50m to sign the young defender, an amount that was seen as controversial at the time.
But no one is criticising it now as Stones has paid his fee back 10x over with his crucial contributions to the club’s success in recent years.
The ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’ played a particularly significant role in last season’s historic treble triumph.
City were struggling for a large chunk of last season as they suffered growing pains from including an out-and-out striker in Erling Haaland in the side.
It wasn’t until Guardiola gave Stones the role of moving from defence into the midfield, which reinforced numbers in the middle of the park, did City hit the relentless form that won them three trophies.
It’s to Stones’ credit that he adapted to such a complicated role seamlessly and Dunne is so impressed with his development.
Richard Dunne praises John Stones
Speaking on City’s Match Day Live show, Dunne said: “I just think when you have John Stones in the team that gives them the freedom to move into midfield and play the role which he’s been so good at in the last 18 months or so.
“Defensively there’s been games when we’ve dominated but we have conceded goals, not massively important goals, but you want to try and eradicate them now we’re getting into the business side of the season where, certainly in Europe, the big goals, will cost us.
“Just to solidify, if you get four natural defenders in those positions it makes it much more difficult for the opposition.
“And you don’t lose any of the creativity because of John Stones being able to move into the midfield.
“You’re saying how good he is to watch as a footballer, he’s developed and improved so much since his City career started and every time he’s in the team is just brilliant and exciting to see.”
It’s important he’s back
It’s perhaps no coincidence that City’s first clean sheet of 2024 in the Premier League has come with Stones in the team.
The Blues picked up a crucial 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday afternoon with a late Haaland double finally breaking the resolve of a stubborn back-line.
Victory has seen City’s unbeaten domestic streak stretch to nine games and they’ve hit form at the perfect time to blow Liverpool and Arsenal out of the title race.
If they are to do that and retain their crown, Stones will be so important. The 29-year-old has struggled with a knock in recent weeks and it’s of a huge benefit to City that’s he approaching full fitness.
