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Guardiola and England influence edged Stones towards City

New Manchester City signing John Stones feels Pep Guardiola can improve every facet of his game after signing a six-year deal with the club.

John Stones has hailed Pep Guardiola as the best manager in the world after completing a big-money switch to Manchester City, although his England team-mates at the Etihad Stadium also had an influence on the move.

The 22-year-old penned a six-year deal after City agreed a fee with Everton that could reportedly rise to £50million, making him the most expensive defender in Premier League history.

Stones had been linked to City and - perhaps more significantly, Guardiola - throughout the close season, with his ball-playing style from the heart of defence thought to be an ideal fit for the Catalan's famed tactical approach.