Manchester City haven’t had the best of seasons, but Pep Guardiola’s side are still one of the most dominant sides in world football over the past few years.
City have endured their first trophyless season in a long time after a controversial FA Cup final last weekend, but there’s still plenty of quality in this squad.
Rodri is the incumbent Ballon d’Or holder, while Phil Foden is unplayable on his day.
Speaking on Ben Foster’s Podcast, Patrick Bamford has been discussing some of his toughest opponents in his career, and he’s reserved some special praise for one City player in particular.
Indeed, Bamford says John Stones is one of the toughest players he’s ever faced, claiming that, quite simply, it’s impossible to get the ball from the England international.
Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Patrick Bamford says John Stones is impossible to tackle
Bamford spoke about what it’s like to play against Stones.
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The Leeds striker says it’s simply impossible to press Stones because he’s so good on the ball.
Bamford noted that it’s truly ‘horrible’ to play against Stones.
“Trying to get the ball off John Stones. Oh my God,” Bamford said.
“I knew what he was like anyway from like younger age groups at England and stuff. But especially in that city outfit, like the way that you can’t press him. Like it’s so difficult because he’s so good on the ball and just stepping in, dropping his shoulder.
“It was horrible.”
John Stones’ ball retention stats
As Bamford says, it’s impossible to get the ball from John Stones, and the stats show that the England star is basically untouchable.
Indeed, while many strikers have tried their hardest to press and harry Stones on the ball, the defender rarely ever actually loses possession.
Season John Stones times dispossessed per game
2024/25 0
2023/24 0.4
2022/23 0.2
2021/22 0.1
2020/21 0
2019/20 0.1
2018/19 0.1
2017/18 0.3
2016/17 0.1
Pep Guardiola loves defenders who are brilliant on the ball, and Stones is exactly that sort of player.
Sadly, we haven’t seen all that much of Stones this season. Stones has been out injured for most of the campaign, and that has certainly contributed to City’s patchy form as of late.
Fingers crossed Stones can stay injury free next season and fire City back to the top of the league where they belong.