Can Stones Dance Back into City’s Plans?…
John Stones, Manchester City’s master of disguise, conjured his greatest illusion in the fairy-lit finale in Istanbul. Think of the Champions League final as Stones’ magical theater, and he was the midfield wizard, leaving fans more spellbound than a kid at Ollivander’s Wand Shop. Who knew a centre-back could shapeshift into a No. 8, pirouetting past Inter Milan players like a swan on roller skates? This was Stones’ Mona Lisa moment, painting the pitch with skills bolder than Van Gogh’s brushstrokes.
Yet, it hasn’t been all unicorns and rainbows for Stones since that enchanted evening. Our hero seems to have discovered the vanishing spell between spots in City’s starting eleven and Pep Guardiola’s tactical playbook. Since waving an imaginary wand over Rodri’s position, he’s graced the Premier League stage just 18 times in 76 performances, battling injuries like a gladiator’s duel with an invisible foe. Whispers at the Etihad Stadium hint at a new fortress of defense with Dias and Gvardiol guarding the kingdom, while others stand ready with shin pads donned.
But don’t send John Stones packing his bags just yet. The key defender might still have a few slick nutmegs up his sleeve. With City’s right-back slot as sparse as hair on a newt’s noggin, Stones’ versatility might just be the Swiss Army knife Pep needs. If he can dodge the injury blitz, he might just shimmy into this season’s fabric as the not-so-secret secret weapon. So, hold onto your scarves and prepare for some possible Stones shuffles, whether in defense or sprinting midfield havoc!
