Pep Guardiola: John Stones has potential to be another Koeman

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola can see echoes of Ronald Koeman in John Stones.

Everton supporters may grimace at such a suggestion, given City took the £47.5m defender from Goodison Park just as Koeman was settling in as Toffees manager this summer.

However, the 22-year-old has slotted in well at the Etihad Stadium and City boss Guardiola can see qualities in him that he previously saw when playing alongside Koeman at Barcelona.

“They’re quite similar in the sense that they both like to play the ball,” said Guardiola, whose side host Koeman’s Everton today.

“Normally, a central defender is a big guy who plays with the head and marks man to man and is strong in the air. We need that, of course, but now it’s the added plus of the quality of his play. John has similarities to Ronald, especially in terms of mentality.

“Ronald was by far one of the best central defenders I’ve ever met. I cannot compare now, not yet, but maybe in the future. The long balls are always... wow. Ronald was the best ever at that, but John is young enough that he can improve. I am so glad that he played for the national team and did well. In the last European Cup [Euro 2016] he didn’t play one minute. Now, he’s playing all the games and he’s becoming an important player for the national team. I am so happy about that.”

Stones’ final season at Everton was an inconsistent one, but such has been his progression under Guardiola that he already looks to be a key component of the new City era. Asked how Stones had managed to settle so quickly, Guardiola said: “Because he’s good. There’s no secrets, in football the good players adapt quickly and John is good and adapts quick.”

Guardiola also insisted that next week’s trip to Barcelona will not cloud his thinking for today’s clash.

The City boss is certain to be the main focus of attention ahead of City’s Champions League outing at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, having enjoyed enormous success during his time in charge of the Catalan giants. That game will also gauge City’s progress under Guardiola this term but, for now, Premier League matters are the main concern.

Asked where his priorities lay ahead of a spell of seven games in 21 days, Guardiola said:

“Tomorrow is the most important game. I don’t know what’s going to happen against Everton, so the best approach for the next one is to win tomorrow.”

Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne both appear to be winning their fitness battles to feature, but Guardiola was vague when asked about the progress of his injured players, including captain Vincent Kompany: “They are much, much, much, much better. Some will play tomorrow, some won’t. They trained in the last two or three days, but I don’t know how many minutes they can do. We’ll have to think about it in the morning.”