John Stones comes clutch to complement Ruben Dias and seal a deserved spot in Manchester City's project

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Every football fan at the beginning of this season would have thought that Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte would become the ideal centre back combination for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, but the future had it's plans.

Manchester City's John Stones is now showing the form that made the club sign him from Everton. Photo Credit: Twitter/ WhoScored

Laporte, sidelined for weeks, Manchester City had to try a different alternative. Yes, Nathan Ake would have been the next guess, but despite been give the opportunity to play, it is the Young Englishman that has taken his chances well.

With Dias and John Stones stamping their authority at the heart of defence for Manchester City, The Citizens have finished over 80% of their matches with a clean sheet. Fascinating.

Portuguese defender, Ruben Dias may deserves more of the credits, but while checking Dias' matches with other CB pairings, the defensive records hasn't been so nice, conceding five in a match against Leicester City with Nathan Ake as his partner central defender. It looks like a simple logic, John Stones has made the Manchester City's back line solid.

Finding compatible partner for Portuguese defender in the heart of defence, the 50 million euros spent on a young Englishman five years ago, which would have proven a lot of money, especially after the poor start to life in Manchester, is now the answer to a pondering trouble.

Guess a lot of City fans were anxious because he wasn't performing well in the first few years but now, they will surely be pleased with the former Everton man.

Manchester City's John Stones in a Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Photo Credit: Twitter/Premier League

So Why did Stones fail to flourish in his first few seasons in Manchester ?

Thinking of it, Stones hasn't always been that bad. Pep Guardiola has just failed to be patient enough. We've seen the Spaniard spend massively on players at City, especially in the defensive segment, and this strategy hasn't been so really worthwhile.

Moreover, John Stones was still a young lad when he joined the citizens, maybe he needed time and never really got it. With the winning mentality of a team like Manchester City, once you've gotten your chances, and you don't perform outstandingly, it difficult to get back into the team.

Nonetheless, return to form of John Stones is here to stay. Other top Center backs should be watch out.


Al Fuad Sobayo

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