Manchester City’s 29-year-old player, John Stones, has successfully resumed full training with the team after recovering from an injury sustained during a match against Everton. The incident occurred when Stones faced the challenge of stopping Everton’s Beto, who was in a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Despite the Everton striker being offside, the linesman delayed raising the flag until after the play had concluded.
Following the injury against Everton, Stones had to be substituted during the match, causing him to miss the subsequent three games against Newcastle United, Sheffield United, and Huddersfield Town. This setback added to the challenges in Stones’ season, marked by various injuries, limiting him to just five starts in the Premier League.
During the current winter break in the Premier League, Stones returned to full training for the first time since his injury in Abu Dhabi in late December. Simon Bajkowski from the Manchester Evening News reported this positive development. As Manchester City prepares to return to England for the FA Cup’s fourth round against Tottenham Hotspur, Stones’ return to training provides a boost for Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola’s relief stems not only from Stones’ status as one of the world’s top players in his position but also from the tactical solidity he brings to the team. In Stones’ absence, Guardiola had to make adjustments, utilizing players like Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol as full-backs or experimenting with Manuel Akanji in midfield from center-back. However, these adjustments posed challenges, especially in defending against counterattacks, exposing Manchester City.
Stones’ return to full health is crucial for Guardiola, as it not only reinstates a top-quality player but also addresses the tactical vulnerabilities the team faced in his absence. The 29-year-old’s presence is expected to contribute significantly to Manchester City’s defensive stability and overall performance, providing Guardiola with a valuable asset as the season progresses.
