- John Stones will leave Man City
- Clinton Morrison praised his quality
- The pundit believes Stones could still help another club
Clinton Morrison has claimed John Stones still has plenty to offer after the Manchester City defender confirmed he will leave the club this summer.
John Stones will bring an end to a decade-long career at the Etihad Stadium when his contract expires at the end of the season.
After signing a five-year deal in 2021 following a strong campaign, the centre-back has found it hard to consistently appear for the club.
Injuries have been the biggest roadblock for the England international. Likewise, City’s defensive rebuild also doesn’t leave him much to work with at the Etihad.
However, that doesn’t take away the brilliant moments he’s had with the club, and Clinton Morrison believes Stones can still offer the same to other clubs if his fitness improves.
Clinton Morrison praises John Stones
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Sport, Morrison claimed Stones is one of the most technically gifted players of his generation.
His ability to play out from the back is what tempted Pep Guardiola to sign the defender from Everton in 2016.
“He’s won everything. John Stones, as Don just said, Mark Guehi is like a Rolls-Royce. He [Stones] was a Rolls-Royce,” Morrison said.
The former Crystal Palace forward added, “He was so comfortable. John Stones was one of the defenders. You always see defenders putting row Z. He said no, I’m not doing row Z.”
“I’m going to bring the ball out, get my body in and try and play out from the back. Fantastic player.”
Stones still has England incentive
While his time at City will come to an end soon, his career at the highest level still looks alive if he can improve his fitness.
Morrison believes that Stones can start for England in the World Cup if he stays fit and can also play for other top clubs in the Premier League.
“I’m looking at clubs like, and people might laugh, someone like a Chelsea who needs an experienced centre-half. Why wouldn’t you go and get John Stones on a free,” Morrison claimed.
He added, “And if John Stones is fit, I think Thomas Tuchel, we’ll start him at the World Cup, if he’s fit and healthy. And I know there’s Konsa and Mark Guehi at the moment, but I think he likes the partnership with Stones and Guehi, even though Konsa’s been outstanding.”
“But I do think if John Stones is fit with his experience, he’ll play him. But what a player and what a record.”
Tuchel has kept Stones in his plans
Morrison’s claim has some weight when we look at Tuchel’s England selections during his reign as the national team manager.
While Stones missed much of his selections due to injuries, Tuchel didn’t leave him out when he was available.
The Englishman was recalled in September last year, starting England’s final qualifier against Albania in November.
This suggests Tuchel hasn’t completely moved on from Stones due to injuries. However, fitness remains the obvious issue, and if he can impress leading up to the World Cup, the centre-back can play an important role for the Three Lions.
