He’s had an impressive start to his Manchester City career, but can John Stones become Pep Guardiola’s key man?
Speaking to the Daily Mirror ahead of Manchester City’s 4-0 mauling of Borussia Monchengladbach, former England manager Glenn Hoddle revealed his admiration for new Manchester City star John Stones, describing him as the perfect signing for new boss Pep Guardiola.
Stones was signed from Everton in a reported £47.5 million deal, making him the second most expensive defender in world football. Whilst Stones’ price-tag was fractionally smaller than the fee commanded by Chelsea as David Luiz moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2014, Hoddle believes Stones can have a massive impact on City going forward.
The former Tottenham and Chelsea midfielder suggests “The main man [in City’s back four] is John Stones – that’s why Guardiola went out and got £50 million worth of a defender because it suits the way he plays.
“Stones has got the ability to take out four or five players with just one pass.
“He can play with his head up. When he’s running at pace, he can see the picture and he waits to draw a midfielder out and release a City player to go on the attack again. That’s why they paid £50 million for him.”
Stones has certainly impressed alongside centre-back partner, Nicolás Otamendi, with the two providing greater composure at the heart of the City defence. Despite the positives, though, Hoddle still feels Stones has some way to go.
Speaking ahead of Euro 2016, Hoddle told the Daily Mail that Stones could learn a lot from Chelsea and Premier League legend, John Terry.
“He (Stones) could do worse than look at videos of John Terry at his best. Terry is a better footballer than many give him credit for — left foot, right foot, he could deliver a fine pass. Yet he never forgot when or how to defend.”
Manchester City fans will be hoping Stones can keep up his promising start to the season, and help the team make a real charge in the Champions League this season.
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