Why Man City would do a good job by offering John Stones a new deal

According to a report from the Sport, Manchester City are expected to offer John Stones a new deal after the upcoming international break.

John Stones, 25, has just over two years left on his current deal that he signed while joining from Everton back in 2016.

He helped Manchester City win the Premier League title by just a single point last season and had also played a key role for England in reaching the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup in the summer of 2018.

The England international, however, started only 20 Premier League matches as Pep Guardiola’s side retained the title. But in the closing weeks of a triumphant campaign, Stones had to watch from the sidelines as Guardiola instead entrusted his captain Vincent Kompany, who struck a vital late winner against Leicester City.

Stones has missed the draw against Tottenham and the win against Bournemouth with a muscular problem.

In his absence, Nicolas Otamendi has partnered Aymeric Laporte at the back for City’s last two league games and at the moment it is not yet known if the England international will be available for selection for this weekend’s game against Brighton.

The 25-year-old is one of the best ball-playing defenders in the Premier League. He is brave and not afraid to take the wild option, which at times gets him caught out at the back.

The ex-Everton man can not only use his skills as a defender to break the opposition’s play and help his side regain possession, he can also then make use of his strong distribution to launch attacks.

That makes Stones an ideal fit under Guardiola, and he’ll likely continue to grow. Now, of course, with Vincent Kompany gone and Guardiola opting against bringing in a replacement, Stones, Otamendi and Laporte are City’s only three senior centre-backs. Thus, this season will subsequently be the making or breaking of Stones.

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The England international has only just turned 25 and so there is still plenty of time for him to develop and become the best in the business. The fact that he has started his fourth season at the Etihad under Guardiola is an illustration of the belief the Spanish tactician has in the central defender.

Verdict

Handing Stones a new improved deal would be a wise move for Manchester City at this point. He is a player of precocious talent and will continue to be a key part of Guardiola’s side for a number of years.