Jamie Carragher was left amazed by the performance of John Stones for Manchester City against Manchester United – and he found one statistic very impressive in particular.
City ran out 3-1 winners against United at the Etihad Stadium in Sunday, in what was a great response to Liverpool’s last-gasp win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
City fell behind after a stunning goal from Marcus Rashford against the run of play, but then mounted a comeback inspired by Phil Foden in the second-half. Erling Haaland wrapped up the three points with a goal in injury-time.
Once again, John Stones operated in a hybrid role that was a source of fascination for many.
Carragher did a segment on him last night, and the Sky Sports pundit couldn’t quite believe what he saw…
Jamie Carragher blown away by John Stones against Manchester United as final third passes stat emerges
Carragher appeared on Monday Night Football last night and did some analysis on City’s Derby victory.
The former Liverpool defender was keen to point out the role of John Stones, and his positioning was really fascinating.
We have been seeing the England international pushing up very high lately, and Carragher believes it is something we have never seen in English football before.
He has previously spoken about this unique hybrid role that Stones plays, but there was one statistic that really blew Carragher’s mind.
He said: “We’re watching something that I’ve never seen in English football.
“John Stones is going from centre-back to number 10. We have never seen this before in here. Just look at his touch map against Man United. Yes, we see all these touches all over, we can see that when you are watching the game. The interesting thing is the 39 passes in the final third, that’s the most he’s ever had in a Premier League appearance.”
Carragher then went on to state that Stones ‘is running the game in there’, and branded what he is doing right now ‘unique’.
United’s deployment of a low block meant that City were pushed up high the whole game.
City’s backline were constantly in the United half, which was allowing Stones to move forward and pick up positions on the edge of the box.
Stones is one of the most fascinating players to watch in football today
It is always so fascinating to watch £50 million star John Stones play football for Manchester City.
The 29-year-old plays this hybrid role to such a high standard, and it is quite incredible to see how much control he gives City in the middle third.
To have recorded 39 passes in the final third against United is just unbelievable for someone who is a central defender by trade.
Obviously, United encouraged it a lot with their unwillingness to push out. But irrespective of that, it is still an extraordinary statistic and as Carragher says, totally ‘unique’.
