Breaking News: Pep Guardiola makes feelings clear on John Stones after Man City no-show at Fulham

Manchester City’s John Stones didn’t feature against Fulham (Image: 2024 CameraSport)

With two Premier League games left, Manchester City knows that victory in both will mean four straight league titles. John Stones was limited to a brief cameo during the team’s 4-0 thrashing of Fulham.

Aligning their defense without John Stones, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City took a step closer to winning the Premier League again by starting four center backs.

This season, Jack Grealish, the £100 million signing, has only made 10 starts in the league due to illness. And Erling Haaland, who scored 25 goals, was their worst player at Craven Cottage, missing two easy opportunities.

However, it was inconsequential as £77 million defender Josko Gvardiol scored twice. During this one-sided match, there was only uncertainty about who would take the injury-time penalty that Julian Alvarez converted for the winning goal.

More time was spent basking in the sun by the Thames with the Premier League, which prides itself on being the most competitive league in the world. The most important query following the FA Cup finalists’ seventh straight victory over the Premier League by a margin of at least two goals is: How long will their dominance in their own country last?

According to current data, the only things that can stop the World Club Champions at home are Guardiola’s departure when his contract expires in the summer of next year or a conviction for City’s PSR rule violations.

Stones’ case demonstrates their strength. If the Three Lions are to have any chance of winning Euro 2024, they must have the best English center-back, and that player is him.

He has not started a Premier League game for City in the past month and has spent six of the previous seven games on the bench. When Nathan Ake went off injured, Stones did not even come off the bench.

He will be rested for Germany, at least.

Guardiola said, “He’s actually fine. Occasionally, the other players elevate themselves.

“Nathan (Ake) was outstanding, and Mateo (Kovacic) is playing unbelievable right now. For the same reason. while you’re in that position playing games.

“Jack had a busy season last year. He has played less this season. You must also consistently perform well, well, well on this team for a very long time. I am aware of their attributes.

The Catalan’s ability to infuse new blood into his team each season guarantees that his players don’t age together. Gvardiol, Foden, and Alvarez are Fulham’s three goal scorers; their ages are 22, 23, and 24.

The Croatian defender took some time to get used to his slow start in the Premier League.

“When it comes to football and life in general, confidence is key,” Guardiola remarked. He has been coming here for a very long time, and he is showing himself that he can play with us and succeed. He aspires to continually improve, and when that occurs, you have something unique.

Gvardiol, who has five goals in his last seven games, stated: “I’m in good form right now, and the season is almost over.” We have three more finals to prepare for.

“I said I’d like to take the penalty when we were talking about it, but we know who is the taker and he takes. Julian was the winner in the end, and I’m glad he scored.

After Alvarez’s stoppage time penalty, Issa Diop received a second yellow card, giving Fulham the same amount of shots on goal as red cards. If one ignores the Real Madrid penalty shootout loss, City has won 33 straight games since December 6.

Marco Silva, the Fulham manager, stated: “It’s about consistency.” It’s actually been there for however many seasons it has been there.

“The Champions League was won by them. In football, consistency is so hard to come by, yet they manage to find it no matter who they play against. It’s what all football players at this level are looking for.