That’s the template John Stones must now use with England and Manchester City, where in recent weeks Pep Guardiola has preferred to partner Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi as his centre-backs. There were times the Dutch were all pass, pass, pass, get into position, and Stones wanted to block, he wanted to defend, like a John Terry, and I haven’t always seen that. (Image: Catherine Ivill)Otamendi has had a renaissance this season, but he hasn’t got the pace or the ability on the ball that Stones has. If he does that, he will give himself a platform to take his game to the next level. Just as it was for Smalling and United, England could well be Stones’ salvation for Manchester City.

Source: Daily Mirror March 26, 2018 17:01 UTC