Man City News

Opinion: £100k-p/w colossus who is “one of the best” gives Man City huge Otamendi dilemma

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John Stones has endured arguably his most inconsistent and opportunity-bereft season since putting pen-to-paper on a deal from Everton back in the summer of 2016, but that doesn’t mean he should opt for a transfer to West Ham, Chelsea or Arsenal. 

According to reports, the Man City defender could well leave the Etihad after finding game time difficult to come by ahead of makeshift centre-back Fernandinho, youngster Eric Garcia and even Nicolas Otamendi this season.

Who should Man City sell?

John Stones

Nicolas Otamendi

Both

The Sun claim David Moyes wants to sign him in a £20 million deal for the Hammers, while the Manchester Evening News have relayed reports that Chelsea and Arsenal could also be monitoring.

However, Stones still has a future at Eastlands, even with the imminent signing of Bournemouth star Nathan Ake amongst a host of rumoured additions.

The Otamendi dilemma…

Kalidou Koulibaly, David Alaba and Diego Carlos are just a trio of names who could be signing for City this summer after we have finalised and announced the Ake move – potentially leading to one of Stones or Otamendi making way, maybe even both.

Ideally, however, City manage to keep Stones and give him a chance to work his way back into Guardiola’s favour – especially given his homegrown status and the fact he still has many years ahead of him.

Otamendi, by comparison, has already reached the twilight stages of his career at 32-years-old – and it could be time to say bon voyage.

Our standout defender during the 2017/2018 Centurions campaign, Otamendi has definitely been given his fair share of criticism since then, but Stones is a simply more viable option to keep at the Etihad.

What the pundits say…

Former Inter Milan defender Ivan Cordoba certainly thinks Stones is worth the effort, going on to describe him as a very strong defender even after the 2019/2020 campaign.

“I follow the Premier League and I consider it to be one of the best leagues in the world,” explained Cordoba in the Daily Mail.

“In England I really like John Stones of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

“A very strong defender. He is a complete defender in everything he does. I think he is one of the best in the world.”

The final verdict…

The £100,000-per-week outcast still has a part to play for us, and Guardiola should not give up on him.

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