Man City Is the Perfect Club for John Stones to Achieve His Career Ambitions

One of Pep Guardiola’s immediate priorities when taking over at Manchester City was to establish a clear way of playing that was grounded in having possession and building moves from deep. To do that he needed a goalkeeper comfortable with the ball at his feet and at least one centre-half who felt able to move into midfield and start attacks.

No English central defender is as naturally gifted in possession than John Stones. His time at Everton was far from perfect, and there were defensive flaws in his game that needed ironing out, but he had shown he was a gifted footballer who had a desire to play his way out from the back—an ideal fit for Guardiola's approach.

The City boss wanted him and sanctioned a £47.5 million move this summer. Some felt it was a gamble, others were sure he had the capability to excel at a top club.

After two months, the signs are good. The 22-year-old has looked more than comfortable at City and is already the main man in Guardiola’s defence.

The former Barcelona boss doesn’t just accept Stones’ desire to play out from the back, he actively encourages it. It fits neatly with his principles; his belief that football should be played on the front foot. It could be argued that the England international has found the perfect manager for his style.

A month after joining City, Stones spoke to Daniel Taylor of the Guardian and admitted he was in the process of adapting his game.

He wants to be a ball-playing defender, but more importantly he knows he needs to master the uglier side of the game—the battling and grappling that unsettles strikers, the blocks and tackles that require bravery and anticipation.

He said:

"

I believe I have come on quite a lot, already, as a player. I was doing things before and then I would think: ‘Why have I done that? Why haven’t I just put it out in Row Z?’ Already I can see a difference in my decision making. So, of course, I’ll kick it into Row Z if necessary. We can all regroup from putting it in Row Z sometimes.

I’ve always liked taking the ball out of defence and I will carry on doing that but at the end of the day I’m a defender, and that’s what I want to be known as—a defender, getting in the blocks and the headers that people don’t recognise I do, the dirty stuff that every defender should do and should be good at. The rest of it is a bonus, where I can play out and start attacks.

But I know I have to evaluate myself, watch things back and realise when I can do things and when I can’t. I’m a defender first and foremost—blocks, headers, vital tackles, or even just the communication side of it, which is massive but doesn’t really get recognised. I’m working hard on that side of my game, just as much as the other side of it.

"

On the evidence of what we’ve seen at City, he’s improving at a rapid rate.

Towards the end of last season, he lost his place in the Everton side, and there were growing concerns about his ability to defend. Roberto Martinez, a manager who thought highly of Stones, felt he needed pulling out of the starting XI.

At City, though, we have seen him fusing his Cruyff Turns and dribbling ability with a desire to defend, and an all-round player is emerging.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

He reads the game well, and the lapses in concentration that so often blighted him at Everton are gradually being eradicated. He times tackles brilliantly, is improving in the air and he never shirks responsibility.

His second-half performance against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend—where he emerged as the catalyst for City’s best moments during a game in which his fellow defenders struggled—gave an indication of his character. While the more experienced players in City's defence looked beaten by Spurs' aggressive football, Stones rose to the challenge.

It’s to Stones’ credit that he appears determined to be more than just a top player. He wants to become a leader on the field and a symbol of City off it. His media activity since joining the club tells us he sees himself having influence that stretches beyond the pitch.

He’s completed after-match interviews a number of times with TV companies, was put up at an England press conference this week and has done interviews with high-profile British newspapers.

Rather than looking to gradually integrate himself at City, he’s kicked the doors down and announced his arrival in bold fashion.

And there are gaps to fill at City in that regard. Their post-takeover success saw the likes of Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure lead the dressing room.

The goalkeeper has been sent out on loan, while the influence of the others has been significantly reduced in recent times. City need leaders, and Stones is perfectly placed to fill the void.

"

Former @ManCity striker @OfficialPDickov says John Stones could turn out to be the best centre half in the world. pic.twitter.com/DsAzzEtOez

— Blue Tuesday (@BBCBlueTuesday) August 10, 2016"

“I’d like to be captain one day,” he said recently. “Every player wants to be captain of their team and to do so for years to come.

It’s also worth noting Stones has become Guardiola’s go-to player to hand tactical instructions during the game. Multiple times each match the defender is summoned to the sidelines to engage in conversation with the manager before returning to the field and dishing out instructions to others.

“He’s talking to me about the opposition, how they’re playing,” he said recently. “I suppose it’s easier for me to run over than a midfielder or a striker, and I can then tell everyone from there.

“It’s just little details in games that are good to pass on. It’s all about how we can beat the opposition and that’s what they’re trying to do to us as well.

“Little formation changes or how we can beat a certain system.”

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Does John Stones' move to @ManCity make him a more alluring #FPL option?

Cost - £5.0m
Selected by - 17.4%https://t.co/BUFC8aBc4n

— FPL (@OfficialFPL) August 9, 2016"

It's been something of a whirlwind for Stones this summer, but he's settled wonderfully well. City appear to have exactly what they wanted: a young, talented, English centre-half capable of playing at the top of the game.

With Guardiola leading him, his time at City could be hugely successful.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and follows the club from a Manchester base. All quotes and information were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.