Unleashing John Stones: How Man City's Defensive Ace Transformed into a Midfield Machine for Their Treble Triumph

Playing in midfield is nothing new for John Stones, but his performance in the Champions League final was exceptional. He expressed his love for the role, referring to himself as a No 8 during the game. Even amidst the tension, Stones remained calm and collected, effortlessly maneuvering the ball past Inter Milan defenders.

After making the most dribbles in a Champions League final since Lionel Messi in 2015, this 29-year-old centre-back from Barnsley left the pitch to a standing ovation from Manchester City fans inside the Ataturk Olympic Stadium. Guardiola also showed his appreciation by holding an arm around his shoulder during the celebrations that followed. It's possible that the City boss may attribute the historic achievement to his decision to move Stones into midfield.

Stones proved his worth in crucial moments by starting in every knockout game from quarter-finals to final in a midfield position. He also played a significant role in the FA Cup victory against Manchester United and showcased his influence during the Premier League run-in. It's remarkable to see how Stones bounced back from a time when his City career seemed uncertain. In the 2019/20 season, he wasn't given the opportunity to start a single Champions League game, let alone play in midfield. However, with the club's substantial investment in Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake, Stones stepped up to prove his value.

Despite being left out of the England squad and falling out of favour with his club, Stones persevered through what he describes as "one of the hardest times of my career." His hard work has since paid off, with his talent now shining through. Guardiola, who describes him as an "incredible player," and Stones himself are responsible for his success, as the Catalan coach found a way to utilize his technical ability to flummox City's opponents.

During the early part of the season, prior to the World Cup where he excelled as a centre-back for England, Guardiola decided to try something new with Stones. With Kyle Walker out due to a groin injury, Stones was utilized as an inverted right-back. This position had been previously used by Guardiola to enable City to have more players in midfield, while also allowing their wingers to be positioned high and wide. The team remained compact enough to handle counter-attacks. Stones was not the first player to be used in this position by Guardiola.

Stones stood out from players like Rico Lewis, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Joao Cancelo who typically played the same role. As a "proper defender" in Guardiola's words, Stones possessed the same level of composure and technique as these players when in possession. With Ake already on the opposite side, City's defense became even more stable with Stones' presence. However, it wasn't until March that Stones assumed his current role - resembling more of a midfielder who occasionally dropped in at right-back than a right-back who popped up in midfield.

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John Stones took on a versatile midfield position, showcasing a shift in focus that was initiated during City's dominant 7-0 victory over RB Leipzig in the second leg of their last-16 matchup at Etihad Stadium on March 14. This marked the first time that Stones had played alongside Rodri in midfield, rather than his usual position in a back three with Akanji, Dias, and Ake.

Throughout the game, he displayed an impeccable performance, not a single pass misplaced. Guardiola's decision to substitute him in the 63rd minute, with the intention of preserving his energy, indicated his increasing significance to the team. From that point to the end of the season, Stones remained a constant presence on the field, helping Manchester City maintain eight clean sheets in 20 fixtures, with the last crucial one coming when it was needed the most. The team never conceded more than one goal, a testament to Stones' unwavering contributions.

The contributions of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne cannot be denied, as they were recognized as the top performers in the PFA Player of the Year voting. However, it can be argued that the success of City was largely due to the added security brought about by Stones' transition to the centre.

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John Stones shone in the FA Cup final as well as the Champions League final

Inter Milan's opportunities to score increased after Walker substituted Stones on Saturday night, which was noteworthy. Interestingly, Stones had not been solely focused on defense previously. He had even succeeded in completing seven out of eight attempted dribbles, most of which were in Inter's half as City attempted to break down Simone Inzaghi's team. Furthermore, Stones had more touches in the opposition box than his own.

During the first half, John Stones' team members were taken aback by his exceptional movement on the field. Despite constantly requesting for the ball, he was not always able to receive it due to the intense pressure of the game. Pep Guardiola later reflected on the team's anxiety and inability to locate the free man, Stones. However, City's pace picked up during the second half, with Stones playing an integral role in finding their rhythm. Despite being substituted for the last eight minutes and stoppage time, Stones had more touches and made more passes compared to the first half.

He played a crucial role in the goal-scoring play, initiating the sequence by passing the ball forward to Bernardo Silva on his right, before positioning himself on the same flank to assist in creating space for Akanji's pass that allowed Silva to set up Rodri for the goal. Stones had previously expressed his admiration for the modern game's dynamic nature, emphasizing the importance of players understanding their roles and their teammates' positioning in order to take advantage of attacking opportunities in the crowded final third.

With the addition of stones, Manchester City gained not only defensive stability, but also the missing piece of the puzzle. The converted centre-back, now playing as a No. 8, played a crucial role in securing the treble for the team.