Not too distant in the past, if you can recall, John Stones playing in midfield was a terrifying prospect.
Only a few times for Manchester City in 2018 did Pep Guardiola try Stones in a defensive midfield position, evaluating his abilities to play in front of the defense but eventually abandoning the idea for another four years. Guardiola had enough midfield alternatives with Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan, and later Rodri to let Stones focus on playing center defense.
Guardiola is prepared to re-trust Stones in midfield now that he has overcome his off-field issues and emerged as one of City’s most dependable players. Even though it wasn’t the first time, the number five’s performance on Saturday was undoubtedly his best. He frequently inverted with Rodri from right-back.
Guardiola has preferred one of his full-backs moving into the middle of the pitch while the team is in possession to enable a back three, whether it be Joao Cancelo, Rico Lewis, or Kyle Walker. This information is not new, and it speaks well of the current City team that so many players are capable of performing a role with intricate tactical and positional needs.
Stones has played right-back eight times this season, which has been necessitated in part by Cancelo’s departure and Walker’s injury before the World Cup. Stones has been chosen ahead of the number two even after Walker returned, and on Saturday, he was praised for his efforts to move up alongside Rodri and aid in winning a midfield fight that first appeared to favor Liverpool.
Since starting three games as an express holding midfielder against Crystal Palace, Leicester, and Oxford in 2018, Stones’ defensive midfield performances have been more clearly defined. During that time, Guardiola stated: “He needs some time to complete it, but he is smart, skilled, and strong in the air. He also has a fantastic pass and good vision. He can play in that position without a doubt.”
Stones may have believed that Guardiola had given up on that path for his positional development after four and a half years. And here he is, having developed defensively year over year, able to play in midfield and have an impact on a match against Liverpool, who despite their inconsistent season-long play still pose a threat on the counterattack.
Given Rodri’s first-half booking and last warning, after City jumped out to a 4-1 lead, Stones was allowed greater leeway and responsibility. While Stones was controlling the midfield alone, Rodri would occasionally move forward while tucking back into defense for support. When the heatmaps of the two players are compared, Stones played over a wider area of the field and frequently ventured further forward. He also started in a position that was more advanced than Rodri, and the majority of his touches came from left defensive midfield rather than the right back.
Stones played a key role in the sequence that culminated in City’s game-ending third goal thanks to some shrewd short-passing. With 10 minutes left, Guardiola replaced Rodri after the game had already been decided. His substitution felt meaningful as well.
It wasn’t Kalvin Phillips, who is given more chances in situations like that to gain experience in midfield. Allowing Gundogan to return to his previous role wasn’t even a change. Rodri was switched out for Bernardo Silva in a like-for-like trade.
In addition to his appearances as a false nine the previous year, Bernardo has now played left back, defensive midfield, central midfield, attacking midfield, and on both wings this season. Their most versatile player may be able to fill another role. And much like Stones, Bernardo has frequently stepped up this season.
Yet for Bernardo to hold the midfield all by himself demonstrates that Guardiola believes he can trust the Portuguese in such a crucial role, even when the game is already well in hand and the opposition is thoroughly outclassed. The manager has chosen Stones and Bernardo to support Rodri because he wants players who can read the game to play between the defense and midfield.
Finding and then creating a long-term Fernandinho substitute for City took so long. To support Rodri and strengthen a position that is so crucial to Guardiola, they are now turning to some of their more dependable squad members.