Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott says John Stones is in 'form of his life' after standout performances
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Updated 20/04/2023 at 14:08 GMT
Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott believes there are few players with the capabilities of John Stones, who is in the “form of his life” under Pep Guardiola. Stones has been given a more “unique” role in the team recently, a more advanced role that allows him to drift into central midfield, and Lescott says it’s a role that he’s “made his own.”
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John Stones is "in the form of his life" right now, according to former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott.
Man City reached the Champions League semi-finals for the third consecutive season after beating Bayern Munich 4-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.
Ahead of the game, Lescott told the BT Sport studio that City defender Stones was “full of confidence” and that there “aren't many players with his capability” as he thrive in a new role in the team.
“He’s been unique this season, he’s made that role into his own,” Lescott said as he analysed Stones’ more advanced position in Man City’s set-up.
“You’ve seen other teams adopt a similar style, but the way he’s performing with the ball at his feet, his recognition of patterns, he’s picking up spaces, identifying where the next pass is.
“There are not many players with that capability and he’s obviously full of confidence.
“I think we’re seeing that at the weekend with his goal, I don’t think he takes that on if he’s not as confident as he’s been, and rightly so, because not only is he scoring but he’s getting assists, we saw that last week against Bayern as well, so he’s contributing in so many ways and he’s probably in the form of his life.”
Stones has adopted a free role just in front of a defensive back three for Man City, which has enhanced his contribution to the team in midfield, as well as his attacking output.
He registered an assist in the first leg against Bayern Munich - which Man City won 3-0 - and scored a wonderful goal within five minutes in the game against Leicester on Saturday as Pep Guardiola’s side continued their winning streak.
“They’ve [Man City] got defenders that want to defend and are very capable of doing that, but the position of Stones has been very key, the way he’s playing and the way he’s been utilised now are very different,” former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said.
“It’s a unique situation for him because it’s somebody you think at this stage in his career, he’s been told to do new things. He’s embraced it, and he’s been magnificent.
“He’s been fabulous in that role, Pep [Guardiola] has been teaching him constantly, and he’s really growing into it.”
Man City play Sheffield United in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Saturday and then host Premier League leaders Arsenal on Wednesday, April 26.
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