As a neutral, it’s odd watching Akanji try this role. It’s like watching a toddler that knew how to walk, re-learn crawling..

@Whyalwaysm3

6 ай бұрын

wonder if ake and gvardiol can do what stones that better than akanji?

@thefearlessone2649

6 ай бұрын

​@@Whyalwaysm3There's a reason why Akanji is tasked to do the Stones role, he probably passed the test in training. Pep said Gvardiol didn't show that he's ready for the role in training.

@taufikramdhani4514

6 ай бұрын

@@Whyalwaysm3 Gvardiol needs time to learn in that position. He will be there.

@a-manthegeneral

6 ай бұрын

Akanji seems to be a very intelligent dude, too. He has already shown that he can slot right into a Pep team. He ca adapt to that role at that rate after just a year in a Pep team. Akanji is by far the most obvious Stones replacement right now.

@Esco-lq4rb

6 ай бұрын

​@@a-manthegeneralyeah, Pep seems to trust Akanjj a lot. Playing him on the left, right, middle, midfield etc. I think he has the most minutes of all the CBs since he's been there.

It's also important to point out that not only is Pep missing John Stones but he no longer has Cancelo or Zinchenko in his team. So he doesn't really have the option to play a fullback in that hybrid role anymore unless he wants to rely on the youngster Rico Lewis, which he won't do in big games. Which really forces him to play a centre back at fullback or have an alternate centre back play the hybrid role.

@oliverbouchard1499

6 ай бұрын

Rico Lewis started against Arsenal, Pep trusts him

@mightymoeish

6 ай бұрын

He sold both of them and bought two mobile CBs since. Safe to say he's planning it.

@icecream_2987

6 ай бұрын

Zinchenko 😂

@alexanderomucheyi1857

6 ай бұрын

@@oliverbouchard1499 In midfield not defence

I think he is also missing Gundogan. He provided a LOT of flexibility as well

@karabomasibi2331

6 ай бұрын

Facts, That Chelsea game was screaming for Gundogan's pausa and composure on the ball

@goodman4093

6 ай бұрын

Gundo can't play rodri role but can dictate the tempo of games like David silva.

@grandmasterdashi3811

6 ай бұрын

​@@goodman4093he can play the rodri roll very well but not against big team cause he can't defend the counters

Stones is a Champagne footballer and I don't care what anyone says. so much to his football without the bells and whistles of more flashy players. Rodri has to do the work of two people when Stones isn't on the pitch (which says a lot about how good Rodri is because he mostly succeeds), only thing is you can tell recently he's been running out of gas and becoming quite frustrated easily as a result.

@sydney9766

6 ай бұрын

yeah i feel like the amount of games he (and players in general) are being asked to play is really taking its toll, never mind we're regularly seeing matches end up with 6-8 minutes added both halves

Rodri and stones double pivot is as good as it gets.

@emilevangheem6165

6 ай бұрын

When Stones came back I had forgotten how much better he makes Rodri as well. Hopefully he comes back really quickly same for KDB. Of course that’s when the title race is really over haha

My guess was Rodri since they lost a majority of those games as soon as he got suspended

@SoupThaGoat

6 ай бұрын

Right!!

@powerkingez9682

6 ай бұрын

Yeah but stones was also injured and he can do that job aswell,but i agree

John stones is an incredible player and without his Libero role in the team it’s difficult to win big games like Liverpool and arsenal. If him and Kdb don’t recover soon,they might end up losing the champions league

@alexanderomucheyi1857

6 ай бұрын

Or Pep just brings Sergio Gomez/ Rico Lewis back to first team and benches Gvardiol/Walker Tomiyasu is better than zinchenko defensively, but Arsenal become rigid when he plays. Zinchenko brings fluidity to the team.

For me the most key part of this analysis was Ederson taking the space vacated by Stones. Without his quality on the ball, there might not be any passing lanes to find the double pivot or play through the lines.

“Yeet Or Be Yeeted” - Johns shirt

Imagine Koeman playing this role under pep

@balor848

6 ай бұрын

He's has same profile as stones?

@lewisblackwiththenicehair

6 ай бұрын

It'd be a waste, Koeman was far better when he was able to leave the back line and get forward, Stones never makes it within 35 yards of goal. Koeman was never an anchor, which is essentially what Stones does on the ball now, he was more like an auxiliary 10, he'd get in and around the box looking for the ball to drop loose

@mhtv5959

6 ай бұрын

Koeman could do much more than only that. But yeah that's literally the first player that comes to mind when you think of that role.

@lewisblackwiththenicehair

6 ай бұрын

@tjt6821 Yeah, I was exaggerating a little, but Stones still has basically the same defensive responsibility he had as a CB. He's just got license to get involved in the passing game. Koeman was given freedom to get forward anytime he wanted and was far more direct. They're both defenders allowed to step out of the defensive line, but that's where the similarities end really

@tjt6821

6 ай бұрын

@@lewisblackwiththenicehair fair.

Its mad to think a few years ago they were considering getting rid of Stones. Hes become alert more alert, Inused to be worried about his lapses of concentration.

Pep has designed his buildup play entirely around Stones and now doesn't know what to do when Stones is out.

John stones. Without watching this. Did I get it right?

@DavidLimofLimReport

6 ай бұрын

@@ImaybeNormal I knew it from the athletic football podcast. Jon loves John

@EnormeEkoH

6 ай бұрын

​@@DavidLimofLimReportwhere to hear the podcast?

@DavidLimofLimReport

6 ай бұрын

@@EnormeEkoH Spotify. This is not the Tifo one though. It's the Athletic

@EnormeEkoH

6 ай бұрын

​@@DavidLimofLimReportgot it, thanks

My guess was KDB or Rodri 🤣

@alexs.5107

6 ай бұрын

I guessed Rodri

@GermanChickenwing

6 ай бұрын

Kdb is not that important compare to stones and Rodri..City would not win the league without Rodri but we have seen City won the league without Kdb

@matthewrobinson269

6 ай бұрын

I guess Bernado

@emilevangheem6165

6 ай бұрын

@@GermanChickenwing indeed KDB becomes more important for the champions league important games and important games in general because he takes risks that generally work out. Most other city players play rather safe

@GermanChickenwing

6 ай бұрын

@@emilevangheem6165 I have 1 question for you.. Do you think City would be on top of the table without Rodri for the last 12 league games?

In the second half against Chelsea he changed akanji did not do that role but silva went to a double pivot

Inverted Centre Back? Surely Stones is basically a Libero at this point?

@franalytics5995

6 ай бұрын

Stones role is completely different from a libero

@wespicedmemes

6 ай бұрын

I tried libero on fm and it doesn’t work the same unfortunately

@MrHuph-vu2wc

6 ай бұрын

More like an advanced centre back

@kagyra9621

6 ай бұрын

Basically

@manniking233

6 ай бұрын

There are two interpretations of a libero. The deep lying sweeper is the common one but the second one of a sweeper who adds to each section of the pitch during different stages of play is not commonly known. John Stones fits the second definition perfectly.

Who else thought it was Bernardo Silva

@davidneihsial6284

6 ай бұрын

✋

Knew Jon was going to make a video on Stones

@imsupongen8347

6 ай бұрын

I see what you did there😂

Solid video, but the ending falls flat. It basically can be summed up as "here's two pictures of Akanji doing what Stones does only not as well" without explaining WHY. There was nothing showing what Akanji does/doesn't do that Stones doesn't/does.

That match against Chelsea might have been the worst match I've seen from Ruben Dias. Not saying it's cause of Stones but he definitely is a factor

@fpldirectory6753

6 ай бұрын

Dias has off field distractions rn

@sydney9766

6 ай бұрын

​@@fpldirectory6753yeah this, I think he can be forgiven for that, plus he's had three years of top level play so even then I feel one day off like this is forgiven

@madeupstory9510

6 ай бұрын

​@@fpldirectory6753What do you mean?

@sydney9766

6 ай бұрын

@@madeupstory9510 reports came out after the match that Dias girlfriend, Arabella Chi was attacked by two men and robbed

@positional_play

6 ай бұрын

​@@fpldirectory6753girlfriend or family or what is it ?

Hey I know you guys focus primarily on the premier league but if you could cover what Bielsa is doing with the Uruguay national team I'd really appreciate it ❤

That's why he's Stones Cold Steve Austin.

It's still Rodri You know it's gonna be Rodri It's always gonna be Rodri

i would say their issues are not just finding a way to be effective and build up play while being defensively sound, but specifcally to do those things while accomadating Haaland, who, as great as he is in the box, straight up sucks at build up

Where do I get those framed print shirts in the background? 😎

My guess before i watch the video: it either has to be Rodri or i think bernardo silva was extremely underrated - by now people have given him his due attention..

@davidneihsial6284

6 ай бұрын

I guessed Bernardo too 😂 I support U that they should have given him his due attention already

Jonny, Jonny Stones… Jonny, Jonny Stones!!!

The fact that John Stones wasn't even shortlisted fpr the Ballon d'Or after last year tells you all you need to know. I am not here to go Messi vs Haaland, I don't care, but the whole thing is kinda meaningless. Of course I wouldn't say Stone should have won it, but he should hwve been there

@imsupongen8347

6 ай бұрын

It's a popularity contest at this point, just think about it, Ruben Dias was number 30.He was our wall when Stones was the general. It's just a couple of journalists voting for their fav player.

@M..n..M

6 ай бұрын

@@imsupongen8347 I agree and I think there's too much fuss about it, but Dias was great for a while and he'll have other good seasons, John Stones just did something incredible, changing so much hia game and helping Guardiola in such a unique way that having him just out of the award was outrageous. I am not saying he should have won it, but it was his year far more than any other City player, his and Haaland's

@imsupongen8347

6 ай бұрын

@@M..n..M i don't know why... I knew he wouldn't win but i wanted Rodri to win so bad.

John Stones truly is special!

Top stuff mate!!!

Great one jon

Stones has matured into a great player

I don't get it why doesn't he then play Gvardiol in that Stones role and Akanji in that LB role? He has a similar profile to Stones no?

@FOOTIATOR

6 ай бұрын

maybe not intelligent as Stones

@squeak3064

6 ай бұрын

maybe bcus akanji proved himself worthy of the role during trainings and pep trust him other than gvardiol or ake.

@bellerophon6897

6 ай бұрын

I think that's what Pep intended to do when he bought Gvardiol, but he probably lack the experience to play in this role for the moment, my guess is we will see it next season

@m4e12

6 ай бұрын

​@@FOOTIATORStones intelligence comes from experience on the ball gvardiol is a G aswell but might need time.

@cellyszn20

6 ай бұрын

@@FOOTIATOR I disagree, Gvadiol is quite intelligent, perhaps not on Stones level but I am sure he offers more than Akanji in the role. I personally said this because the times I saw Akanji play that wide-left role, he was quite suited for it so why not take a chances on a better build up player with Gvardiol.

I thought it was gonna be Hair

@Adam-qn2to

6 ай бұрын

Naahhh

What about the way Kyle Walker, he is doing lot of runs forward, does that destabilise the back line?

Surely Pep's system can't be completed without a DM. Each of successful teams has their best player to play in that position

@TheOutlierToday

6 ай бұрын

Just because it's the most important player doesn't mean that it's the best player. The system struggles without them. And can easily replace other players/positions but not this one.

@aizuddinshah6948

6 ай бұрын

@@TheOutlierToday Yeah, agree. Not all DM suits with his play of style

8:05. This how i set up my team to replicate that shape than man city get in fm23 :). It's not perfect but it's the closest i've gotten.

10:01 It’s a 2-3-5!!!

Why are people talking about the Newcastle game as if Rodri was going to play that game

More important question: Where can we get that shirt? :)

@athens9867

6 ай бұрын

Just print it out lol

PRESSING!

Obviously Scott Carson

Great vid, so reading between the lines... take halaand out of my fpl?

Last season's treble run was legendary. ❤

@stevenlannister184

6 ай бұрын

Today was the first time I've heard anyone mention it in months. Outside of City fans, no-one cares.

@user-wk8vl9hg4t

6 ай бұрын

@@stevenlannister184 I'm a City fan and i really forgot about that quickly. I think at this point everyone kinda got used to it. Citizens do that winning streak every season. Only at times like this we can really appreciate how great and consistent team is.

@Jamesugg

6 ай бұрын

​@@stevenlannister184😂😂😂 stay in your bubble

@rickyrickalvous2982

5 ай бұрын

@@stevenlannister184 True it's pretty weird Even the recent Bayern one wasn't talked about that much (both of them) The United 1999, Porto and Barcelona 2015 were the trebles I remember that generated a lot of hype My guess is the others were expected or something

Should be rodri

Your Silva frame is slanted and it’s driving me nuts. Great analysis otherwise ;)

@ILikedGooglePlus

6 ай бұрын

+

I'll save you a click, it's Oscar Bob.. what a name

Cdm and inverting wingers are by far the more important players in a team.

i was like its defo rodri right, tifo played us, it was stones

The John union in full effect

Imagine the kind of player stones would be if he wouldn’t be injured every single season.

John Stones is a solid CB.

Pep is the best manager in the world.

@ishsichsjfke9267

6 ай бұрын

Will Still

@duran9664

6 ай бұрын

💥Pep = always has great starting formation then makes mistakes with changes. 💥Klopp = always starts with wrong formation then makes brilliant changes to fix it. 💥 7Hag = starts with wrong formation then makes it even worse.

Remember the Podcast? ... I member.

Brilliant shirt

Lets talk about RODRI 🔥🔥

Which begs the question, couldn't Gvardiol step up to play that role? And if not, then why didn't City bring in a similar player that can step up in midfield? Surely, Stones isn't the only CB that can do that.

@thefearlessone2649

6 ай бұрын

Pep said he's not ready for the invert role. Akanji is doing it while Stones is out. He probably showed he can do it in training. Also Rico Lewis.

@edgardolopez500

6 ай бұрын

Stones also has years under Pep prepping him for this. Wouldn’t surprise me if Gvardiol becomes the next player Pep creates into a monster defensively and offensively

@FormerPessitheRobberfan

6 ай бұрын

Yeah he is. Name another defender in world football with the midfield awareness and on the ball ability of John Stones. I'll wait.

@zahreel3103

6 ай бұрын

@@FormerPessitheRobberfan Just because Pep is the only manager who has been using a libero in his tactics, it doesn't necessarily mean that other ball playing CBs who are able to read the pitch wouldn't be able to have success in the same role and with the same tactical duties. The likes of van Dijk in England, or Bastoni in Italy, Alaba in Spain, and I'm sure there are more around the world, would probably do as well as Stone if their managers used them as liberos. Stone's role is nothing new in football; from Franco Baresi to Franz Beckenbauer, what Stone does today used to be a lot more en vogue in the past, so Pep didn't reinvent the wheel here. And no need to give me an attitude, I'm a City fan, too. "I'll wait" 😂

@rickyrickalvous2982

5 ай бұрын

@@zahreel3103 I think there are but the problem is training them to do it exactly the way Pep wants, they exist the problem is fitting into the tactic, to know when to step up, and when to move forward into attacking roles

Rodrigo

Can Kiwior play the Stones role?

KDB is also a player we need

💥Pep = always has great starting formation then makes mistakes with changes. 💥Klopp = always starts with wrong formation then makes brilliant changes to fix it. 💥 7Hag = starts with wrong formation then makes it even worse.

@NoOne-ks8tu

6 ай бұрын

This makes me laugh but cry at the same time

@Billiamwoods

6 ай бұрын

💥Dyche = put the ball in that end, stop it going in that end

@FOOTIATOR

6 ай бұрын

And win treble + hattrick of PLs

I feel like todibo fits inverted CB role.

@manniking233

6 ай бұрын

SHUSH! DON'T TELL PEP THAT!!

@saulchadman2704

6 ай бұрын

As a city fan, i want bastoni

Jon loves John Stones and I am totally with him. But Rodri is the most important player in that team

Stones is unironically the most underrated defender of the last 10 years or so

@Never_Wr0ng

6 ай бұрын

He cost 50 million 8 years ago. You definitely can't call him underrated UNIRONICALLY .

@silverhost9782

6 ай бұрын

@@Never_Wr0ng You should change your username, after that reply it's been shown to be a lie🥺

@Never_Wr0ng

6 ай бұрын

@@silverhost9782 Not really kiddo.

@taaaaaaaazzzzzz

6 ай бұрын

@@Never_Wr0nghas nothing to do with the price tag necessarily. He just wasn’t rated as highly by media and fans as his quality deserves. He had some big errors in his career though, but he fought through that.

@Never_Wr0ng

6 ай бұрын

@@taaaaaaaazzzzzz Yes. Ability has nothing to do with his price tag. But the fact is it took him half a decade to arrive at this level. Despite being at the same club under the same coach. And even now he misses huge chunks of games. So people might underrate his ability but overall as a player, he is fairly rated.

It is kinda L from Pep, to have his plan dependent on one single player, you would think the brilliant Pep will have multiple plans with the depth he has

@SuperAyan98

6 ай бұрын

he did have plans but they aren't exactly working out at the moment. Gvardiol was meant to do this but he isn't ready yet. Phillips is a dud. Nunes still not up to speed. The year after treble is a reset year for all the great teams. Give them time to gel

@ILikedGooglePlus

6 ай бұрын

You'd think 115 would make them pretty resistant to being a one man squad

@Jamesugg

6 ай бұрын

​@@ILikedGooglePluscry 😂😂

@Jamesugg

6 ай бұрын

Which depth? How many players are in the city Squad?

Its Rodri for me

I thought right of the bat that it was KDB but I got humbled real quick

I don't akanji can play that role I think if josko would be good there but it will take him like a few months to get used to that role cause he has good passing range and can beat players but his also no John stones... stones is really great in that position.

No CR7 shirt in any video. Incredible

Nunes could be the alternative (I would have preferred Paquetta) , Nunes needs to learn the right temperament like Stones.

I know you can be a bit biased sometimes because you are from England, but let be honest. We all watch the same games. THE PLAYER PEP CAN'T DO WITHOUT IS NO ONE ELSE THAN RODRI !!!! He is the best defensive midfielder and all the games City lost, it was because he wasn't there. I love Stones, but it took him 4 years under Pep and the presence of Ruben Dias to become a proper footballer. I'm pretty sure City can with the PL without him, but RODRI??? Come on man.

@uzaidgurjee4798

6 ай бұрын

Let’s be realistic they’d win it without rodri as well. City may have lost without rodri but eventually they’ll figure out how to play without him like they do every time they’ve changed their tactics. The only way to stop cities dominance is to get rid of pep

Who´s the most important Jo(h)n in the world?

Luke shaw with glasses

I’d argue that Ederson is that player!

@user-xs8sg1ju3g

6 ай бұрын

hell no

Why did I think this player is Rodri ?

Good video but these horrific midroll ads have to stop.

I would argue that Rodri is as important as Stones. 😅

My guess is Bernardo Silva

Call me weird, but why do i get the feeling that Maguire is a good choice if Stones isn't available for that play?

Yeet or be yeeted 😂

Akanji is not enough to play hibrid Role likes Stones which he more exposed by Chelsea. Then Gvardiol & Ruben accepted more pressure😊

Pep is taking L's this season from the wings. i.e. arsenal and Chelsea games

Because stones is English. Rodri,Kdb,silva, thats the first names on pep list.

Busquets & Rodri

Cole Palmer 🤣🤣🤣

I thought the player Pep really need is KDB😂 At least Haaland miss him big time

Its rodri. not stones

thank joao cancelo

Get rid of KAVOCIC

stones is a unique player. we can see similarity among the clubs pep have manage. we can see similarity from CB profile from pique to hummels and then to laporte, a ball playing centre back. always partner wilth more traditional one liked puyol,boateng and now R. Dias. J.stones is unique because he is first CB i see as a new role, i never see beckebaur play but i heard he play from CB position but have the freedom to roam forward just liked stones did last season, the false CB

@manniking233

6 ай бұрын

Yup. Like Lothar Matthaus and Matthias Sammer, too.

It's going to be funny when the greatest team in the world is throwing out a centerback pairing they bought from Everton.

I think that if Pep had gotten Maguire like he wanted, the Maguire x Stones combination at the back would be insanely good. World-Beater good.

the player southgate can't do without: Maguire

So the first player they cannot do without is Rodri.

Football is like chess, if you can break the rules 150 times. You will win.

Pep is just trolling

Dont worry oil dady will get him another one soon

has this channel now just become John Mackenzie the show? what's happened to the others.....?

Dare I say that they were more tactically flexible when Arteta was there? They were very dominant even when losing key players.

@maths9647

6 ай бұрын

Probably because they were more reliant on technical full backs like Cancelo or Zinny.

@cellyszn20

6 ай бұрын

@@maths9647 but even when they were out, they still adapted. They weren't over reliant on them

@maths9647

6 ай бұрын

@cellyszn20 Yeah, I see what you mean. However, I feel like players such as Haaland, Akanji, etc... aren't as flexible as the players I previously mentioned. Although I'm sure Arteta also helped.

This is John Stones propaganda and I'm all for it