John Stones: Pep Guardiola's football insights are mind-blowing

Upon his transfer from Everton in 2016, Stones was utilised as a central defender and found success alongside Ruben Dias at the core of the defence.

However, more recently, he transitioned into the role of a defensive midfielder, with the remaining three defenders adopting a narrower formation to counter potential threats from counterattacks.

Guardiola entrusted him with this fresh responsibility, and Stones praised his manager for aiding him in acclimating and enhancing his performance within the new system.

"I thought I knew football to a decent degree when I came. Pep made me feel like I knew nothing. He's opened my eyes to so much, he's kind of reinvented my brain," he stated in an interview with Daily Mail.

"Being a defender for Pep is so rewarding. He expects a lot from us to start play and it's rewarding when you have trained over and over, what he wants, and you see how it plays out.

"I absolutely love it, I'm learning. Every year there's something new.

"I had done the role a few times in certain different circumstances but without it being permanent as it is now.

"He saw with my attributes that he could simplify it and help me improve and get better in that system."

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