John Stones has been informed by Pep Guardiola that he must start Manchester City’s “final” against Club Brugge on Wednesday in order to save them from the humiliation of an early Champions League departure, unless he “promises” he cannot play. Guardiola is depending on England international Stones to save City’s European season, even though he hasn’t started a game since the team’s loss to Aston Villa in December. By using the 30-year-old as a second-half substitute and acknowledging that he shouldn’t have started debutant Abdudokir Khusanov, who was responsible for Noni Madueke’s opening goal in the third minute, he held Stones back in Saturday’s 3-1 victory against Chelsea.
However, as Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake are still injured and Khusanov and fellow new addition Vitor Reis are ineligible on Wednesday, Guardiola is forced to rely on Stones, who has been told to “invent” a left-back if he is unable to play so Josko Gvardiol can move into the middle of the defense. Stones has not finished a game since October and has been forced off the field at halftime in both of his previous games.
Pep Guardiola relying on John Stones
Guardiola stated: “He must play unless he tells me that he really cannot play. Josko (Gvardiol) will then be the central defender, and I will come up with a new full-back.” However, he can play alongside Josko at left back and Matheus (Nunes), who is improving every game in terms of pace and focus (at right back). Our game on Wednesday is extremely vital.
Guardiola is concerned about Stones’ fitness because he has a history of injuries. “John always had these kinds of situations, with the exception of the year of the treble, when he was extremely reliable,” he clarified.I hope he’s recovered better this time. We extended our time to him. He is out after 45 minutes against Aston Villa and 45 minutes against Tottenham. He had a great 40 minutes [against Chelsea] and needs to put in more work on Wednesday to allow Ruben and Nathan to return.