Manchester City’s search for another holding midfielder is no secret. After Yaya Toure saw out his contract, Fernandinho is the only holding midfielder available in the squad.
At the age of 33, Pep Guardiola cannot expect the Brazilian to run the midfield for the whole season, especially given their high pressing approach and the fact that the Sky Blues are expected to fight for all the major honours available.
They were close to signing Fred and Jorginho this summer but failed on both counts with the players ultimately joining Manchester United and Chelsea respectively.
Julian Weigl, Marco Verratti, Miralem Pjanić and Thiago Alcântara have all been linked with a move to Etihad but Manchester City are yet to settle on anything conclusive.
İlkay Gündoğan is also an option but there are still a few questions on his defensive abilities. Fabian Delph played in a midfield role for England at the World Cup but the Catalan prefers to use him as a left-back.
What is the option for Pep Guardiola?
Guardiola played John Stones in midfield for the last 15 minutes against Chelsea in the FA Cup Community Shield game. The Spanish manager was impressed with the Englishman’s cameo. He said that John Stones can be deployed in the midfield if City fail to sign any direct backup for Fernandinho in this window.
But, is he a good alternative?
Stones didn’t get many minutes to play at the back in the latter stages of last season once Vincent Kompany returned from injury. He was impressive in the World Cup, however, leading a midfield-3 with Walker and Maguire alongside him.
At just 24 years of age, John Stones is still learning his trade at centre-back and is getting better. Putting him in the midfield role can be a serious obstruction to his development. He is defensively sound and is a good passer but his pace and the time he takes on the ball can be a major deterrent in such a position. He will need to evolve but in a different direction from what he has been preparing for till now in his career.
A couple of indifferent displays in that role will again see his momentum suffer and along with that his confidence. Stones was brought in as Kompany’s partner and eventually the long-term replacement of the Belgian. His progression has been uneven but fiddling with his role at such a huge club will be detrimental to the player and will hamper the perfect rhythm the squad find themselves in.
Manchester City have never been shy to spend money on players they believe are required. Similarly, they require a long-term replacement for Fernandinho and Pep has to fast zero in on the target.
