Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hinted that. He could start defender John Stones as the main football striker on the day Erling Haaland is unavailable.
Stones scored in back-to-back games for City in a 5-0 Champions League home win over Sparta Prague. Having previously headed home the winner in stoppage time to edge Wolves 2-1 at the weekend.
Pep has hailed the England defender, who scored the equaliser at Arsenal in a 2-2 draw last month. Saying: “When Erling isn’t playing, John can play as a striker.” สมัคร ufabet
“Gerard Pique at Barca has an incredible sense of scoring goals and John is the same. He has scored goals, he is back and I am happy for him.”
Regarding Haaland’s substitution before the end of the game. Despite having the opportunity to score a hat-trick, Pep said: “We have many games to play and I had to do it. He understands the decision and is generous with the team.”
With two successive starts in the centre of Manchester City’s defence. It remains to be seen whether Stones’ place in the side is now permanent with games coming thick. And fast for the club across competitions.
Many will be aware of Stones’ fitness problems during his time at the Etihad Stadium. And Manchester City medical staff will likely be conscious of not wanting to over-work the defender with too many consecutive, high-intensity matches.