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The Spanish coach says he is “incredibly happy” to see the English international regain his place in the team
Pep Guardiola has praised John Stones for changing his career at Manchester City, while insisting that he never lost faith in the defender.
The Stones have racked up 141 appearances in all competitions for City since completing a £ 50 million ($ 66 million) move to Etihad Stadium from Everton in 2016.
The 26-year-old has helped the Blues win seven trophies in total, including two Premier League titles, while also establishing himself as a regular on Gareth Southgate’s England team internationally.
However, Stones slipped down the team’s pecking order at the Etihad last season amid form and fitness issues, and Guardiola finally dived into the summer transfer window to bolster his defensive ranks after seeing to Liverpool knock them down at the top of the table.
City managed to bring in Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake from Benfica and Bournemouth respectively, which initially left the Stones facing an uncertain future heading into the final 18 months of their contract.
However, the center-back has managed to force his way back to Guardiola’s plans in recent weeks and has started four of the Blues’ last five games, including a 2-0 home win over Fulham at the end of last week.
Stones could be in line to appear again in Saturday’s derby against Manchester United, and his coach was delighted by the hard work he’s put into behind the scenes to give him a welcome pick headache.
“I am incredibly happy for John Stones,” Guardiola said. Sky Sports News. “In the end, the players have to prove it themselves, we can’t help them at certain points.
“I never changed my mind. When we bought it from Everton we thought it had the quality to do it. But footballers are not just footballers they are human beings, human beings have problems and personal lives.
“Some footballers when they have a problem outside, they forget it when they are inside and others put the problems inside.
“He came here when he was a young boy, only 21 or 22, and immediately everything started to happen with the England team and playing here in the Champions League, which he had never played before. And sometimes you need time and a process to settle down.” . and some players need more time than others.
“We know the quality that he has and I am especially happy because he is an incredible person. In good times he is always there and in bad times, he fights and was always with the team.
“This behavior will help him have a long, long career and live for this amazing job for a long time. Just the mindset and positivity. He turned it around and hopefully he can continue not just in the next few seasons as well.”
