Though things are going great for Manchester City, they haven't often been at their best.

It goes to show just how incredible Pep Guardiola's side is that they can sit top of the Premier League table and be through to the Champions League knock-out stages with two games to spare and still have much more in their locker. There have been flashes, but City are capable of so much more.

It is mostly by design. Guardiola doesn't want his side firing on all cylinders, going hell for leather, just yet because that would only lead to burnout. It's a very long season and peaking at the right time can often decide who walks away with the silverware in May.

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But it's also partly due to disruptions to the squad. City had won their first six matches of the league campaign - they didn't even win four in a row until February last season - but their form hit a brick wall when Rodri was suspended. The crucial midfielder missed two matches in the league and they were both lost to Arsenal and Wolves.

But even when City were winning, the performances for the most part were stodgy and inconsistent. Far from the thrilling and dynamic displays that won them the treble. That was down to the absence of John Stones.

The defender was a revelation last season in his new inverted-defender role, as he moved from centre-back or right-back into midfield. The tactic transformed City and helped get the best out of Erling Haaland.

Stones missed the first 10 matches in all competitions and City struggled to cope without him. No one can do the job as well as him, while Guardiola sometimes chose to push Kyle Walker forward on the flank with Phil Foden moving inside instead. The plan didn't have the desired effect as it put the side off balance and didn't help them control the game.

The difference was palpable when Stones was back in the fold. He managed to start three games and City looked back to their best. The 3-0 win over Manchester United and 6-1 thrashing of Bournemouth were the best performances of the season and a lot of it is down to how Stones helps the whole side work.

Sadly, he is now injured again. City drew 4-4 against Chelsea in their first match without him and were unable to dictate the tempo of the match without Stones' cool composure in the middle.

The injury isn't as bad as first feared, at least, and the sooner he's back the better. Not only for City, but England as well.

It's not just one team Stones has made himself essential for but his country as well. England played two matches in the international break and both were bleak affairs that gave flashbacks to the torrid years before Gareth Southgate. There was a drab 2-0 win over Malta and a draw with North Macedonia.

The results don't matter but the performances are cause for concern. Without Stones, England are without a player who is really capable of building play out from the back and the whole side looks worse off as a result.

It's not only Guardiola who will be hoping Stones gets back to full fitness and stays there soon but Southgate as well.