Stones proves to be a rock for treble-chasing City
For many years, John Stones had the misfortune of being side-lined through injury when his teammates entered the final, title-winning stages of the season.
Since arriving at Manchester City in 2016, John Stones has been injured five times in the latter stages of the season, which has generally prevented him from starting in crucial matches when titles are won, except in 2020-2021.
But this year Stones now plays a vital role in a team trying to win a historic treble.
The English international, who has been capped 66 times, was also named by supporters as the best player of the month of April.
This award underlines his reliability over this period, in which he started seven matches and scored two goals, including one with a header in the key win over Arsenal at the end of April.
It is above all because of his versatility that Stones has made such an impression. Since Pep Guardiola, in mid-February, opted for 3-2-4-1 as a preferential system, Stones has played on the right of defence and also as a defensive midfielder capable of slipping into the centre when City defend.
It helps that he can pass – he has succeeded with 93.5% of his passes, a record among Premier League players.
Perhaps this is again his year to appear in the podium pictures.