John Stones will end ten years at Manchester City this summer, and whilst he may not get the plaudits of his great team-mates, he's been integral to Pep Guardiola's trophyladen period
John Stones will leave Man City have won the Premier League six times - and also been part of their treble success
John Stones will leave Man City have won the Premier League six times - and also been part of their treble success
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John Stones might not get cast in bronze outside the Etihad, like some of his more celebrated team-mates have been - but for long periods of his illustrious decade-long spell with Manchester City, Stones was pure gold.
He arrived at the Etihad from Everton in the summer of 2016, at the same time as Pep Guardiola. In the previous months, Guardiola had been instrumental in the signing of Stones, even though he hadn't officially taken charge. He wanted Stones for a reason.
Because he rated him as the best footballing centre half in English football. And over the next 10 years, Stones proved Guardiola right.
Despite suffering some cruel luck with injuries, Stones stood shoulder to shoulder with Guardiola in the process of turning City into the greatest club side of a generation. Perhaps the best one of all time in English football.
Stones has won 16 trophies, and was part of the side which claimed a historic Treble back in 2023. He cried on the pitch in Istanbul when attempting to sum up the achievement.
Guardiola once said: "Since I arrived, he arrived. The many good things and the sad things, we lived together. We share it. He's an incredible human being."
There was a reason he earned the nickname the Barnsley Beckenbauer. Because he is as comfortable on the ball as the German legend used to be. So much so that in that Treble winning campaign, Guardiola deployed Stones in a hybrid midfield role, which saw him operate in front of the back four alongside Rodri. Not a role your average defender would be trusted with.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - JUNE 10: John Stones of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final match between FC Internazionale and Manchester City FC at Ataturk Olympic Stadium on June 10, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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At the peak of his powers, Stones was a classy combination of composure, speed, vision and calmness under pressure.
"You don't quite appreciate him until tore playing alongside him," said Kyle Walker, who shared countless moments with Stones for both club and country. He rarely gets beat, is great on the ball and very calm and level headed."
Stones, who also appeared in two Euros finals with England and a World Cup semi final, will leave City in June. His contract has run down. And due to long standing fitness issues, has not been handed an extension.
It's an understandable decision, given City need to keep evolving. While Stones will also turn 32 next month. His best times are now behind him. But how good they were. And should never be forgotten.
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