Manchester City centre-back John Stones says he is determined to repay
manager Pep Guardiola for the faith he showed in him during his difficult first
season at the Etihad
Stadium.
Stones, 23, produced several error-strewn displays last season after
joining City from Everton in a £47.5 million ($62.9 million, 53.6 million
euros) move that made him the world’s second most expensive defender.
But Guardiola stuck by the England international and has been rewarded
this season as Stones has contributed to six clean sheets in City’s last seven
games, helping the club to top spot in the Premier League.
“Really good,” Stones said when asked how Guardiola had helped him last
season. “Always positive and wanting me to do better and that’s what I try to
repay him on the pitch.
“The games this season speak for themselves: clean sheets both in the
Champions League and Premier League. I feel like I’m developing as a player and
a person under him.
“That’s all down to the players around me, him and the staff that are
there. All I want to do is keep this run going and see where it takes us.”
Stones produced a strong performance in City’s 1-0 win at defending
champions Chelsea last Saturday and he agreed it was one of his most impressive
displays in City’s colours.
“I think I’ve always been moving in the right direction. Everyone has
their ups and downs,” he told journalists ahead of England’s penultimate World
Cup qualifier at home to Slovenia on Thursday.
“We’ve started this season well as a team. It was an important match
against Chelsea. They won the league last season.
“It was an important game to keep the run going and keep another clean
sheet. Defensively, on a personal note, it was maybe one of the best games I’ve
played in.”
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