Originally Posted by codeblue:
“Pep. Outstanding manager yes, outstanding defensive coach? Two very different things.
Its not as easy as the manager being responsible for improving players, pep cannot take a good CB and make them a fantastic CB.
In Spain, defenders are allowed to receive the ball from the keeper, bring it out and pass it forward. However, in the PL if i were playing against city, i would ask one of my players to hound stones all game, never giving him a second on the ball.
If he doesnt hoof it up field straightaway, you will get at least one error out of him in 90 minutes, probably more.
Most of the successful CBs in PL history are of a certain type. Terry, Carragher, Vidic, Stam, Kompany, even Huth last year.
Stones doesnt fit with them.”
That wholly remains to be seen. The way he sets out his team and has won trophies suggests he likes footballing centre backs and even the best ones he's had can be mistake prone at times.
Originally Posted by Nova21:
“From what you have watched of Stones, do you think he has the potential to be one of the best defenders in the world?”
Why not, I'd imagine he has the same scope as any other 22 year old in world football.
[quote=codeblue;83521415]Stones has played for england 10 times, but he is not an england international. /QUOTE]
He is.
Originally Posted by Nova21:
“I don't know if £50m will be decent value for money if he has a good decade in the team, as they could have invested say £20m in a different young centre back now who could perform to the same level as Stones in the next decade”
Names please.
Originally Posted by batdude_uk1:
“Oh come on, I was clearly just joking around, of course Kompany when fit is an excellent defender, that goes without saying really.”
I think if you acknowledged his ability proactively rather than being forced into doing so to try and get yourself out of another silly mess, it might read more as a joke than a trademark dig.
Originally Posted by batdude_uk1:
“It seems we are not going to agree here, you have it set in your mind, and no amount of answers from me will change that, so let's move on.”
All that's being said is its a neutrals thread and you don't always come over as especially neutral. Codeblue has made a post above with their observations about Stones and they are critical but fair, a world removed from "what will he learn from someone who's injured all the time".
Nothing wrong with supporting your club, we all support to the hilt but no point trying to redress the balance after the initial horse has bolted, we all have to balance the plaudits and criticism fairly in this one without having to be prompted.
