Manchester City have had a very successful period under Pep Guardiola’s management.
Specifically, City have won six Premier League titles and multiple other domestic and European trophies.
Throughout Guardiola’s tenure at the Etihad Stadium since 2016, the Blues have seen a wide range of players make moves in and out of the club.
In fact, all but one of the non-academy players in the City squad have been signed since the Catalan took charge of the club.
With the champions now aiming to land what would be a fifth consecutive Premier League title, a pundit and former City player has shared some significant praise for one particular figure currently at the club and the journey he’s been on since his arrival.
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Nedum Onuoha hails John Stones’ Man City revival
When asked about John Stones and how crucial he has been for City in recent years, Nedum Onuoha was not shy in sharing this praise for the defender while appearing in a recent episode of No Tippy Tappy Football.
He said: “He’s been incredible, but interestingly he went through a spell where he wasn’t doing as well around 2020 where maybe he was going to be leaving, but then in came Ruben Dias, and out came the very best of John Stones.
“There have been times when he’s had fitness issues but then he ends up being a revelation in the most significant season in the club’s history when they win the treble, stepping into midfield, and not just being a defender in midfield, but being an excellent midfielder out of nowhere.
“The composure that he has and that desire to win, he’s been there for so long and this is a game in October against Wolves but after he scores look at what it means to him.
“He’s been an incredible buy and he’s one of many that City have had. Some of those buys are incredible because they’ve stayed for so long, they’ve been a part of it for so long.
“When you find clubs whereby the player turnover isn’t massive every single year and when you think what do they need, you don’t need four, five, six, seven players, you’re very rarely doing a rebuild, it’s just little bits here and there that help the team and help the squad out.
“I think he’s been amazing, I am delighted that he’s still at City, and he feels like someone that represents what City is, and I think that will probably continue to be the case for a long time.”
Stones almost left City in 2020
As Onuoha mentioned, it was reported by The Guardian back in July 2020 that Stones could have left City after falling down the pecking order at the club.
On that subject, the Englishman opened up about this “really low time” in an interview with BBC Sport back in September.
Since the 2020/21 season, Stones has gone on to win four consecutive Premier League trophies as well as three major European titles.
Earlier this month, Darren Bent highlighted how Stones has improved as a player at City under Guardiola, saying this on the matter.
He said: “Everton fans will tell you he was good on the ball. But to be fair, Pep has turned him, as a defender, into an all-round package. Top, top player.”
Now that Onuoha has praised the 30-year-old for how he’s been able to turn his fortunes around at City and establish himself as an important player for them, this showcases the strength of character Stones has and how it has benefited him.
It also shows why he was right to stay at the club and fight to become a more prominent figure in Guardiola’s side.
