John Stones adapting well to Pep Guardiola's demands.
Manchester City boss is convinced John Stones is suitable for the holding midfield role and reveal he will redeploy him regularly in his new position.
The England defender stepped up into a new role for the Carabao Cup game against Oxford, having come off the bench against Cardiff in that position.
Pep Guardiola's search for some cover for Fernandinho, was ineffective having failed to reinforce the position in summer, but with Stones adapting well to the decision of his manager to push him up the field, the Catalan boss now find solace on that matter.
"Yeah, he played quite good," sad Guardiola.
"In the first half he was marking almost man-to-man with the No.10, it was not easy to find but in the second half he was more comfortable.
"He needs time to do it but he's clever and he has a good pass, good vision and is strong in the air. Of course he can play in that position."
Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne have also been mentioned as alternatives to Fernandinho. But with one injured and the other showing against Cardiff how effective he can be in a more advanced role, Stones looks a likelier option at the moment given the strength City have in central defence.
It is almost a certainty John Stones will be given a start in midfield when Manchester City host Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, so as to keep Fernandinho fresh
for their must win UCL Match-Day 2 fixture against Julian Nagellsman's Hoffenheim on Oct 2.
The England defender stepped up into a new role for the Carabao Cup game against Oxford, having come off the bench against Cardiff in that position.
Pep Guardiola's search for some cover for Fernandinho, was ineffective having failed to reinforce the position in summer, but with Stones adapting well to the decision of his manager to push him up the field, the Catalan boss now find solace on that matter.
"Yeah, he played quite good," sad Guardiola.
"In the first half he was marking almost man-to-man with the No.10, it was not easy to find but in the second half he was more comfortable.
"He needs time to do it but he's clever and he has a good pass, good vision and is strong in the air. Of course he can play in that position."
Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne have also been mentioned as alternatives to Fernandinho. But with one injured and the other showing against Cardiff how effective he can be in a more advanced role, Stones looks a likelier option at the moment given the strength City have in central defence.
It is almost a certainty John Stones will be given a start in midfield when Manchester City host Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, so as to keep Fernandinho fresh
for their must win UCL Match-Day 2 fixture against Julian Nagellsman's Hoffenheim on Oct 2.
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