Clrnc
Stones was NOT right wing in the final! š
White could play a similar role - which is effectively Stones having way more freedom to step out the back 4 in possession - with his eyes closed, but I'm pretty certain Arteta will not go with that here. And I don't think Guardiola will at City next season. It was a needs must to get shit done kinda thing imo.
You ideally don't want a limited player like Stones having too much of the ball or too much positional freedom (granted you also don't ideally want him defending his own box constantly either because he switches off often) because someone with better technical ability and awareness would be more effective. Stones' presence higher up just shored them up defensively and then the CBs playing at FB made them more transition-resistand behind that.
It is nothing genius or game-changing at all imo. Quite similar to Mourinho going with PƩpƩ in midfield in El Classicos. It served a purpose for them.
