Manchester City star reveals he knew ‘nothing’ about football before meeting Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

The decision to join Manchester City and begin working with manager Pep Guardiola enabled one defensive star to begin learning within the game.

That concerns the rise and development of John Stones, who has established himself as one of the most tactically versatile defensive players on the planet, and one that has been instrumental to some of the biggest collective achievements within the game.

Arriving from Everton as one of Pep Guardiola’s first signings at Manchester City, the former Barnsley defender was overshadowed by a mammoth price tag in the region of £50 million, with many questioning his relentless desire to play the ball out from the back.

Fast forward to 2024 and John Stones has won everything there is to win at club level with Manchester City, operating at centre-back, right-back, defensive midfield, and as an attacking midfield throughout his eight years in Sky Blue.

Speaking to BBC Sport this week, John Stones has looked back on his first moments upon arriving at Manchester City from Everton in 2016, and the football education he has been on whilst working with Pep Guardiola.

“Intense, extremely dedicated, hungry, just a born winner,” Stones said of the Catalan tactician. “Football changes, and we’ve got one of the best, well THE best, in Pep with ideas, seeing the game from a totally different angle.”

The England international continued on his football education, “I’ve said it so many times, but I thought I knew football. When I came here I thought I knew it to a good standard, know the game quite well.

“And then you get started and training here with Pep and his ideas and how he sees everything play out, and I literally thought, ‘I know nothing’.”

Stones is unlikely to displaced any time soon, and despite a challenging personal season in light of Manchester City’s historic Treble, the player retains the faith of Pep Guardiola for the foreseeable future.

Operating alongside a multitude of defensive talents during his time at the club, Stones remains an ever-present and will more than likely play an integral role in any success seen by Manchester City this season.