Every season, it seems like we have to say goodbye to a big name. This year… well it looks to be at least 3 big losses - John Stones, Nathan Benjamin Aké and Bernardo Mota Veiga de Carvalho e Silva.
Wow, what an insane amount this trio has done for the club. All starters in the treble season and they’ve won the lot.
Let’s start with Nathan Ake, he came from Bournemouth in 2020 for a fee of £40.4m - I mean at the time that seemed a lot for a back up centre back. He was steady, he was comfortable with the ball, solid at the back, some top blocks and some great last ditch tackles. But in 22/23 he was played at left back… and what on earth did he become? An absolute monster. ELITE 1v1 against any right winger. Unbelievable positioning and reading of the game. Even at times, getting forwards and he chipped in with some important goals. The best left back in the league that season. Whenever called upon, between his injury-stricken City career, he’s been fantastic. Most recently in the Cup final against Arsenal where many thought he’d be a weak link… he was absolutely absurd. Wherever he goes… we wish him the best of luck.
John Stones, well… if injury hadn’t been the main factor in his career, he’d not only have a statue alongside Vincent Kompany, he’d have one outside Wembley. The general, the most tactical defender the game has ever seen. Whilst over his decade at City, he’s grown as a player and ironed out mistakes and just become an absolute Rolls Royce of a footballer, we can only speak about the treble season. The ONE season Johnny Stones managed to stay fit we won it all. Moving into the midfield and just bossing the park in every metric. Same number of dribbles completed in a Champions League final as Lionel fricking Messi? Unreal. General John Stones, definitely a fan favourite and we will be GUTTED to see him go. Thanks for everything Johnny.
Finally Bernardo, Pep’s little favourite, the one everyone picks on, now finally the senior figure, the captain, the DREAM for a Pep team… he’s the epitome of a utility player being able to do absolutely everything on a pitch with endless running and an undeterred passion for the club. He is a true City legend. A decade at the Blues, also a decade of thinking he’s leaving in the coming summer. Well this year it’s finally confirmed… Bernie will leave the Blues being the face, alongside Kevin De Bruyne, of Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. The way his game has evolved is unbelievable. Once the tricky little attacker we signed from Monaco ten years ago, now dropping between the centre backs and a tenacious little midfielder tirelessly fighting for the team all over the pitch. His availability sees him become the only player in the modern era to be in City’s top 10 for appearances made for the club. He had everything on the pitch, and for City he was a fantastic little shithouse. But off the pitch he’s always had our hearts. Serious and passionate yet funny and joyful… Bernardo, it hurts to see you go. Thank you for everything.
Seeing all these players leave us will be a pain in the hearts of all Blues, three fantastic servants to the club. Always welcome back to the Etihad, back home, back to the club where they won it all, we will welcome them back with loving arms.
@BernardoCSilva@NathanAke@JohnStones Once a Blue, always a Blue 💙
Jeg slår av @skolemorten og @jespermathisen nå. Jeg orker ikke. Dere er sikkert hyggelige folk, men objektiv kommentering kan dere ikke. Blir litt kommenteringens Se&Hør, sensasjonen er viktigere enn sannheten.
Hvis Sylvi Listhaug er så opptatt av åpenhet i politikken, burde hun ikke ha offentliggjort sin egen kundeliste fra First House?
Eller gjelder bare åpenhet for alle andre?