Fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relays comments made by Sylvain Distin on Pep Guardiola’s treatment of John Stones.
Speaking on The Beautiful Game Podcast, former City star Distin stated: “With the team and manager they have now he is the perfect player. No disrespect to him, he is a top manager, but will Guardiola make him a better defender? I can’t see it.”
He continued: “When I see that Manchester City would play a midfielder at centre-back when they have two or three centre-backs, as a centre-back that would hurt me greatly. That’s my job and you take a midfielder to play in my position? That would hurt me.”
Should John Stones be sold this summer?
Yes
No
In reaction to his comments, which were relayed by City Chief on Twitter, fans of Manchester City have flocked to have their say on the matter, with many rushing to the defence of Guardiola, while others have questioned who Distin is – despite having 204 appearances for City, to his name.
?| Sylvain Distin has questioned Pep Guardiola's treatment of John Stones.
“With the team and manager they have now he is the perfect player. No disrespect to him, he is a top manager, but will Guardiola make him a better defender? I can’t see it.” pic.twitter.com/Fjo75OOK2y
— City Chief (@City_Chief) April 21, 2020
Somehow should please remind Distin that Pep Guardiola won the PL with John Stones & Otamendi as his preferred centre backs.
— Dagrin (@YungHusband_) April 21, 2020
How about because Stones is nowhere near good enough? Pep’s the best in the world, if Pep can’t make stones better then no one can
— Luke Gutteridge (@LukeGutteridge2) April 21, 2020
Error prone, casual in possession and weak – can’t defend headers – Stones has had ample opportunity to prove himself the “perfect Pep player” sadly just not quite elite level and I feel he needs a move to resurrect his career #MCFC
— Maurice Kilbride (@MauriceKilbride) April 21, 2020
Pep made him good enough but stones just always regresses back to bad old habits. Just like how Otamendi still regresses back to reckless challenges and going to ground. But to say he didn’t make them better is laughable
— Ryan Guerrier (@RStephaneG) April 21, 2020
Distin who is he ?
— Fellah (@Momaverick83) April 21, 2020
hhhhhhhhhhh this Sylvain Distin make me laugh really
sell this stones in summer , soft player! pic.twitter.com/qSMECV50Ug
— Citizen Omar = (@omar_s42) April 21, 2020
No ones listening Sylvain – both Guadiola & Stones absolutely quality.
— Tiern100 (@tiern100) April 21, 2020
What do we think?
While some of Guardiola’s comments have been slightly odd regarding Stones, the City fans are right to point out that the Spaniard has indeed won a great deal with Stones in the heart of his defence.
Since arriving at City, Stones has won two Premier League titles, three League Cups, one FA Cup and two Community Shields under Guardiola’s management, and this, it would appear, is enough to convince these City fans that Guardiola has done all he can with the centre-back.