Pep Guardiola might have a new best Man City centre back

In a game where Man City were largely shut out from creating quality chances, it was centre-back John Stones who unlocked the persevering Borussia Dortmund defence with a strike from 25 yards out. A momentum shift that saw City pile on the pressure and the seemingly inevitable Erling Haaland netting the winner in a finish maybe only achievable by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

However, it is not the goalscoring touch that is the most impressive attribute within Stones’ game. Frequently, the expression ‘jack of all trades master of none’ is used when discussing players but Stones is quite the contrary.

An elite ball-playing defender suited to a Guardiola system, he has since been nurtured into a reliable defensive asset while providing passes that are largely press resistant and split opposition midfields. He also possesses the backbone of ‘old school’ defenders when challenging for the ball. This is a component of Stones that is often underlooked as he has demonstrated time and time again for City and England the capacity to do the ‘dirty work’ required.

Read more: Guardiola has a new best City attack

As well as this, the ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’ has been setting the standard in modern times when it comes to having a deep understanding of a game. The ability to slot into a four at the back or three at the back formation seamlessly is undervalued and rather those that stumble in doing so are criticised and even ridiculed. In numerous cases it is the 28-year-old’s partner that gathers the majority of plaudits whether it be Harry Maguire during England’s run to the Euro final or Ruben Dias’ player of the year award during City’s title-winning season of 2020/21. While these players deserve such praise, a share must go to the common