TRon Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Can't say I've kept track of Stones over the last couple of years, but he was rated the best centre back in England not so long ago. It might just be that he found it hard to adapt to playing for such an attack minded team rather than he just turned to shit for no reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 People turning their noses up at Stones. I like our defenders but he’d be a step above any CB we’ve had after Woodgate in memory. If we’re going to be the sort of club who are going to start spending the money, we’re clearly going to be looking to challenge top 4. Someone who can play like him will be huge in games we’re trying to open up a team like how we set up now for example. This. 100%. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Away Toon Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 I've watched Stones a lot the last few years and although he's a good ball playing CB, he lacks focus and concentration, maybe because in general City don't have much defending to do. Also the play out of the back at any costs way that Pep plays brings out the worst in some players, Stones being one of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggs Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Stones is comfortable and quite silky on the ball but I wouldn't say his long passing or stepping forward out of defence and driving forward would be at Schar's level Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFEE Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 People turning their noses up at Stones. I like our defenders but he’d be a step above any CB we’ve had after Woodgate in memory. If we’re going to be the sort of club who are going to start spending the money, we’re clearly going to be looking to challenge top 4. Someone who can play like him will be huge in games we’re trying to open up a team like how we set up now for example. Overall I’m not so sure on him defensively. He looks weak minded without the right partner and seems to become very indecisive leading to be erratic. He’s certainly not been in form for going on 18 month now also. Not sure what he does that Schar doesn’t. Judging him purely when up against us I’ve never found him to show himself in the best light for either Everton or Manchester City. I could see why Everton bought him and to a degree why Manchester City did but whether he has fulfilled that faith at either club is open to debate. I always think defenders usually improve as they age so he’s got that going for him I suppose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
STM Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 I wonder if those that think Stones is a top level player, also want Rafa back? I cant imagine for a second him playing for a Benitez side. On the hand, Rafa would make a defender out of a potato. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyt Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Schar isn't a great defender but Rafa was happy with him Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 CBs is our strongest area but if the takeover goes through and the new people have genuine aspirations of fighting for Champions League places, there literally isn't anywhere we can't improve the team/squad, even Dubravka (though he'd probably be the last priority). Talking in these terms you can see Lejeune and Clark moving on in the not-too-distant future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 CBs is our strongest area but if the takeover goes through and the new people have genuine aspirations of fighting for Champions League places, there literally isn't anywhere we can't improve the team/squad, even Dubravka (though he'd probably be the last priority). Talking in these terms you can see Lejeune and Clark moving on in the not-too-distant future. Yeah, I’m not talking as though I’m expecting these signings but if this lot are going to be signing the likes of Stones, it’s because they’re aiming high. They’re not going to be buying Stones to settle for top 10. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 I’d rather have Lejeune over Stones, he’s certainly not a 30M upgrade on him. Stones has got some serious flaws in his game and hasn’t improved these at City. That’s a real concern. Mad that this is even been discussed tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiresias Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Honestly going forward with money lejeune lascelles schar is for me a fine set up who would be fine as we start to push on. Lascelles is limited but covers for the other two in last ditch defending and speed. Pretty much everywhere else needs an upgrade Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordiekris Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 People are vastly over rating our CB’s. It’s one thing sitting deep in a back 5 with a bank of 4 in front of you but it’s a different game when we’re gonna be pushed up the pitch trying to press teams. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conjo Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 I agree that CB is probably the last position that needs improvement in the short term. Lejeune over Stones though... Come on. Even if there's room to suggest one is better than the other, one plays regularly while the other has been injured more than available for a start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty66 Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 If we want to be taken as a serious threat in all competitions then we need a squad full of quality players. Having someone like John stones on our books is exactly what we need. Until we get Champions League football we can't turn our noses up at these type of players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheInfiniteOdyssey Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 If we want to be taken as a serious threat in all competitions then we need a squad full of quality players. Having someone like John stones on our books is exactly what we need. Until we get Champions League football we can't turn our noses up at these type of players. We’ve got 4 quality CBs, five really when you include Clark How many do you actually want? There’s some strange revisionism on here regarding our defenders, we’ve got a real good bunch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiresias Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Schar and lejeune are very technically gifted and schar in particular has awesome threat going forward. I wouldnt turn my nose up at stones if offered but if we have to prioritize it woldn't be a significant percentage of transfer costs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafalove Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 If we want to be taken as a serious threat in all competitions then we need a squad full of quality players. Having someone like John stones on our books is exactly what we need. Until we get Champions League football we can't turn our noses up at these type of players. We’ve got 4 quality CBs, five really when you include Clark How many do you actually want? There’s some strange revisionism on here regarding our defenders, we’ve got a real good bunch Completely forgetting aswell we have to abide by ffp and we’re going to need 10-12 players as it, add in the fact it’s generally considered a bad idea to bring In Toomany players at once Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 How many of our centre-backs would you put in the top 6 clubs? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyt Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Yeah I like all of our centre backs but we can certainly upgrade. Clark has been a great servant but we can do better. Fede has been solid but again we could do better. I like Lejeune but I don't rate him as highly as others on here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufcjmc Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Everyone is upgradeable with the right funds, the issue is keeping to ffp we don't have unlimited funds if we have 150/200m to spend we need 2 strikers, midfielder, left back and right back first and thats the money already well spent I recon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafalove Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 How many of our centre-backs would you put in the top 6 clubs? Probably none. Hard to say as others have mentioned we play a system that suits them. Maybe Schar and Lejeune could get in as backups. That’s not the point though, we will be limited by ffp. If a time comes when cb is our weakest position, we can go out and get one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Edgar Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Stones isn't good enough to be a top 6 starter. Pep had pretty much given up on him this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanj Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Schar was looking incredible at both ends of the pitch towards the end of last season. Just look at that Leicester away performance, he was aggressive in stepping up and really looking the part. Lejeune’s reading of the game coupled with his footballing ability was integral when he was fit. Rafa has spoken over and over how highly he rates Lejeune. The only issue is his injuries may have really taken out his durability. So a question mark really over if he is able to return to his best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanj Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 If we solved our issues in center midfield and fullbacks we’d have no issues with operating on 2 or 3 CBs. But we’ve had to rely mostly on a 5 man def because our fullbacks are generally weak in attack and our center midfielders have also been hit and miss. Always struggle to retain possession and use it wisely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Schar was looking incredible at both ends of the pitch towards the end of last season. Just look at that Leicester away performance, he was aggressive in stepping up and really looking the part. Lejeune’s reading of the game coupled with his footballing ability was integral when he was fit. Rafa has spoken over and over how highly he rates Lejeune. The only issue is his injuries may have really taken out his durability. So a question mark really over if he is able to return to his best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts