Michael Dawson believes Manchester City have a defender who is can do something no other defender is capable of, even Virgil van Dijk.
Manchester City will come up against Virgil van Dijk and his Liverpool teammates on Sunday in a potentially season-defining match.
The stakes could not be higher with both teams in great form and Jurgen Klopp’s side leading the title race by a single point.
Should City win, they would take the ascendency but Liverpool could stretch their lead to four points if they are victorious.
However, a draw would open the door for Arsenal, who could take top spot on goal difference in the event of a stalemate if they can also beat Brentford.
It’s all on the line and Pep Guardiola will need all his players performing at their best at Anfield.
Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland will be crucial but so will John Stones.
The defender has become vital to how City play thanks to his ability to push into midfield and it’s a skill that continues to blow Michael Dawson away.
Michael Dawson on John Stones
Speaking on the Sky Sports Football Podcast, Dawson said when asked if he could step into midfield like Stones: “100% not.
“John Stones, a fellow Yorkshireman, I love watching Manchester City, I love watching the things they do you just think is mindblowing for a football team but they go and do it and they do it well.
“Stones playing in some of these positions that you think a centre-half, do I see Virgil being able to do that? No, I don’t.
“They’re completely different kinds of players. Stones you see him marauding forward, finding spaces and giving other people an opportunity, stretches the game.
“So I think Stones as an Englishman, our best centre-half and I think he will play come the summer in the Euros.
“Pep utilises him in different positions and it works because that’s just what Pep does.
“He has this group of players that understand and Stones, for a centre-half, I don’t see any other centre-halves out there that could probably go and play that position.
“I’m sure you look at Spain and Barcelona’s team, they could do but it’s always evolving and that’s what Pep’s doing.”
One of Man City’s most important players
Rodri is obviously the most important player to the side given he is undefeated in 60 matches and City have lost all four games without him this season.
But Stones is pretty vital too. Rodri may keep the team glued together but Stones is the one that makes it sing.
The 29-year-old’s ability to push from defence into midfield helps City’s attacking play immeasurably by giving them more balance and passing options in the middle of the park.
Stones may not get as many headlines as some of his teammates but he’s just as important in the title race.
