The player Pep Guardiola can't do without

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One player is more important to Manchester City than any other. It’s not Erling Haaland. It’s not Rodri. It’s not even Kevin De Bruyne.
John Stones is vital to the way Pep Guardiola wants Man City to play.
But why? Jon Mackenzie explains.
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Music sourced from epidemicsound.com
Additional footage sourced from freestockfootagearchive.com
#MCFC #ManCity #PremierLeague

[@SumbaListens]

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]

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

[@thefearlessone2649]

​@@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]

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

[@a-manthegeneral]

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]

​@@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.

[@Bizarro69]

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]

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

[@jackson857]

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]

Rico Lewis started against Arsenal, Pep trusts him

[@mightymoeish]

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

[@icecream_2987]

Zinchenko 😂

[@alexanderomucheyi1857]

@@oliverbouchard1499 In midfield not defence

[@__dane__]

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

[@karabomasibi2331]

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

[@goodman4093]

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

[@grandmasterdashi3811]

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

[@ragunanthan787]

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

[@emilevangheem6165]

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

[@Tumi837]

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

[@SoupThaGoat]

Right!!

[@powerkingez9682]

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

[@kagyra9621]

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]

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.

[@adamsteel7147]

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.

[@enderofruina2973]

Imagine Koeman playing this role under pep

[@balor848]

He's has same profile as stones?

[@lewisblackwiththenicehair]

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]

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]

@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]

@@lewisblackwiththenicehair fair.

[@ShaneJoshua1980]

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.

[@Adam-qn2to]

“Yeet Or Be Yeeted” - Johns shirt

[@les_crow]

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

[@ikeproud6045]

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

[@franalytics5995]

Stones role is completely different from a libero

[@wespicedmemes]

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

[@MrHuph-vu2wc]

More like an advanced centre back

[@kagyra9621]

Basically

[@manniking233]

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.

[@DavidLimofLimReport]

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

[@DavidLimofLimReport]

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

[@EnormeEkoH]

​@@DavidLimofLimReportwhere to hear the podcast?

[@DavidLimofLimReport]

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

[@EnormeEkoH]

​@@DavidLimofLimReportgot it, thanks

[@Model_Roe]

My guess was KDB or Rodri 🤣

[@alexs.5107]

I guessed Rodri

[@GermanChickenwing]

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]

I guess Bernado

[@emilevangheem6165]

@@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]

@@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?

[@el_gringo9211]

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

[@morlath4767]

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.

[@chaupiamarighambi5859]

Who else thought it was Bernardo Silva

[@davidneihsial6284]

✋

[@WXLFGXNG]

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

[@Sui_Generis0]

Knew Jon was going to make a video on Stones

[@imsupongen8347]

I see what you did there😂

[@nif3869]

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]

Dias has off field distractions rn

[@sydney9766]

​@@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]

​@@fpldirectory6753What do you mean?

[@sydney9766]

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

[@positional_play]

​@@fpldirectory6753girlfriend or family or what is it ?

[@SoundzCool]

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

[@plarp]

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

[@calvinhobbes4271]

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]

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

[@Captainmidnight09]

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

[@jg7088]

I thought it was gonna be Hair

[@Adam-qn2to]

Naahhh

[@moonflower1759]

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 ❤

[@freddieplenty957]

10:01 It’s a 2-3-5!!!

[@shaheemjackson283]

Top stuff mate!!!

[@ugobabyy]

John Stones truly is special!

[@leemcverry4636]

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

[@M..n..M]

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]

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]

@@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]

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

[@nharikrishna7818]

Great one jon

[@cellyszn20]

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]

maybe not intelligent as Stones

[@squeak3064]

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

[@bellerophon6897]

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]

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

[@cellyszn20]

@@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.

[@Mr78monkey]

Stones has matured into a great player

[@George_slough]

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

[@MpanzuSolos]

Obviously Scott Carson

[@user-wk8vl9hg4t]

Last season's treble run was legendary. ❤

[@stevenlannister184]

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

[@user-wk8vl9hg4t]

@@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]

​@@stevenlannister184😂😂😂 stay in your bubble

[@rickyrickalvous2982]

@@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

[@MrAmalasan]

PRESSING!

[@asaphmelchizidek5441]

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.

[@GermanChickenwing]

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

[@aizuddinshah6948]

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]

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]

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

[@duran9664]

💥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]

This makes me laugh but cry at the same time

[@Billiamwoods]

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

[@FOOTIATOR]

And win treble + hattrick of PLs

[@n.stamm_]

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

[@athens9867]

Just print it out lol

[@goodbyedelete1]

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

[@hj3333]

Should be rodri

[@antithesis02]

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

[@ILikedGooglePlus]

+

[@ppcy]

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

[@millllbs]

The John union in full effect

[@sigfigronath]

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

[@Truffle_Pup]

Remember the Podcast? ... I member.

[@Joof_]

Brilliant shirt

[@silverhost9782]

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

[@Never_Wr0ng]

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

[@silverhost9782]

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

[@Never_Wr0ng]

@@silverhost9782 Not really kiddo.

[@taaaaaaaazzzzzz]

@@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]

@@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.

[@TheOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO]

Can Kiwior play the Stones role?

[@taaaaaaaazzzzzz]

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

[@swine3960]

KDB is also a player we need

[@adrianmedina2629]

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

[@davekika7394]

Lets talk about RODRI 🔥🔥

[@rbamba1731]

John Stones is a solid CB.

[@sibusisomahlangu398]

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.

[@yohannesbewketu8326]

I feel like todibo fits inverted CB role.

[@manniking233]

SHUSH! DON'T TELL PEP THAT!!

[@saulchadman2704]

As a city fan, i want bastoni

[@whatthehead]

Pep is the best manager in the world.

[@ishsichsjfke9267]

Will Still

[@duran9664]

💥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.

[@zahreel3103]

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]

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]

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]

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]

@@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]

@@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

[@bingo4p2l04]

Rodrigo

[@darkincry8539]

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

[@mpinto79]

Its Rodri for me

[@gunturalam7643]

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

[@TheAgregister]

Yeet or be yeeted 😂

[@George_slough]

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

[@remey4770]

Luke shaw with glasses

[@abdalla8558]

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]

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]

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

[@Jamesugg]

​@@ILikedGooglePluscry 😂😂

[@Jamesugg]

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

[@NovaNTS]

My guess is Bernardo Silva

[@rodrigovillate6463]

No CR7 shirt in any video. Incredible

[@karabomasibi2331]

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

[@ToastGhost]

Good video but these horrific midroll ads have to stop.

[@lilmoyse]

Cole Palmer 🤣🤣🤣

[@sam3806]

Busquets & Rodri

[@phrophetsamgames]

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.

[@non-vegan-barbecue]

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

[@MonkeyManRoboDog]

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

[@aminkeng4soccer]

Its rodri. not stones

[@petescheller6704]

I’d argue that Ederson is that player!

[@user-xs8sg1ju3g]

hell no

[@alexs.5107]

Why did I think this player is Rodri ?

[@pendantcetemps...1016]

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]

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

[@goodman4093]

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

[@earthpeace3323]

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

[@slide4]

thank joao cancelo

[@firdausmuhammad3965]

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]

Yup. Like Lothar Matthaus and Matthias Sammer, too.

[@JWRame]

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

[@leonmeyers7009]

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

[@TheFlyingV]

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

[@davekika7394]

Get rid of KAVOCIC

[@cellyszn20]

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

[@maths9647]

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

[@cellyszn20]

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

[@maths9647]

@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.

[@user-vl1tx4so5x]

But we're really lacking kdb cause of his key final third passes

[@manniking233]

And crosses.

[@conors4430]

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

[@reasanka8667]

the player southgate can't do without: Maguire

[@TheOnerice]

Pep is just trolling

[@tfsitt]

John Stones is great and all but Pep actually can’t do without Rodri 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@rulifaller8474]

So the first player they cannot do without is Rodri.

[@jakovloncar3244]

Dont worry oil dady will get him another one soon