‘I proved it to myself’: John Stones adapts to key new Manchester City role

Defender came close to exit in 2020 after falling out of favourHas been reborn in new hybrid midfield role under Guardiola

John Stones says Champions League success with Manchester City would complete the turnaround from a spell that cast his future at the club into doubt, explaining that he opted to prove himself rather than leave when seemingly out in the cold.

Three years ago, his prospects at City looked distinctly uncertain, a torrid 2019-20 campaign being followed by an investment of more than £100m on fellow defenders Rúben Dias and Nathan Aké. He had slipped down Pep Guardiola’s pecking order but has bounced back to become a pillar of the treble chasers, recently blossoming as a deep-lying midfielder and shining in both semi-final games against Real Madrid.

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