On Tuesday morning, we were delighted to announce John Stones had completed his move from Everton and he’s dominated the blue headlines ever since.
Today, the press are reacting to the transfer, declaring he is exactly what Pep Guardiola needs - and they’re excited to see him in action.
In ESPN’s ‘five reasons why John Stones is a perfect fit for City’, Jonathan Smith writes: “Guardiola wants players who are comfortable in possession and ready to start attacks from the back to maintain pressure on the opposition.
“At Barcelona, he had Gerard Pique and moved Javier Mascherano back from midfield, while at Bayern Munich Jerome Boateng has transformed into one of the finest defenders in the world.
“It’s a style that City have been trying to get to grips with in preseason - with mixed results - and Stones would seem to fit into Guardiola’s requirements.”
Other subheadings in the piece include: ‘Stones wants to be the best’, ‘he could be a leader of young men’ and ‘he’s highly rateed’.
In a similar stats-based piece, Four Four Two agree: “Marc Bartra, who made his Barcelona debut under Guardiola, spoke recently about the importance the coach places on defenders being good on the ball.
“Stones, it would seem, is the perfect fit for a possession game at City. Last season, he boasted an 88.7 per cent passing success rate - the best of any defender to play 25 games or more in the Premier League.
“Despite a proclivity to stay upright with the ball at his feet, Stones is not averse to throwing himself into the fray when the situation calls for it.
“In last season’s Premier League, only six players made more blocks than the 33 Stones managed, with Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann leading the way on 43.
“Stones is happy enough to mix it with the best in the air, too. He won 53 aerial challenges in the top flight last term, more than Leonardo Bonucci - himself linked with City over this close season - Boateng or Giorgio Chiellini managed in their respective leagues.”
Goal.com believe the signing points to the future style of English football.
Peter Staunton illuminates: “English football has seen nothing like the revolution that Guardiola is about to unleash.
“It is a huge endorsement of John Stones that the new Manchester City manager has chosen him to be part of it.
“This is a smart investment in a player of immense potential - but it is also a signing which heralds the future style of football in England.
“The new manager expects his side to have the ball at least 65 per cent of the time and so Stones will be doing less defending – on and off the ball – than he ever did at Everton.
“He will be expected to lead from the back with his range of long and short passing and also step into midfield and make the play from there.
“He will be the centre piece of Guardiola’s new City - a young player not only of great promise but one who also fits the tactical blueprint to a tee.”
There’s even praise for the transfer from an unexpected source.
Former United star Rio Ferdinand told BT Sport: “John Stones is a player I really like. I see huge potential in him.
“If you listen to any player who has played under Pep Guardiola, the first thing they always say is that they learned a lot.
“If John Stones goes to City and learns and is coached really well by someone like Pep Guardiola, with his track record, the world will be his oyster.”
Elsewhere, Gazzetta World report City are about to enter a bidding war for Leandro Paredes.
Claims Suhayl Al Sammari: “With Giallorossi coach Luciano Spalletti unsure as to how to fit the 22-year-old into his plans for the coming season, it has opened the door for a number of clubs to attempt to prise him away from the Italian capital.
“The Premier League pair would be willing to match the €20 million asking price set by Roma, according to Sports Talk.
“However, the duo will face competition from Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg, who are already more advanced in their negotiations for the former Boca Juniors man.
“Meanwhile, Serie A rivals AC Milan have also been mooted as a possible destination for Paredes.
“The Rossoneri’s vice-president Adriano Galliani will hope to use his good relationship with Roma director of football Walter Sabatini to secure a discount, possibly bringing the price down to between €10m and €15m, according to Calciomercato.it.”
That’s all for today’s transfer gossip. Keep your eye on mancity.com and @ManCity for all the latest developments.
