Pep Guardiola lauded John Stones’ comeback after the England centre-half had another fine game and looks back to his best after 18 months in the doldrums, which saw him struggle to make the City team and dropped from the national squad.
And with the player’s private life playing out on the front page of newspapers, with his former partner venting her anger at their relationship break-up last weekend, Guardiola paid tribute to his character as well as his renewed form.
Asked what has made the difference in Stones’ revival, Guardiola said: ‘Himself. He was the first player we signed five years ago.