Pep Guardiola saw his side secure their second Champions League win of the season on Wednesday night.
Specifically, after drawing 0-0 against Inter Milan and beating Slovan Bratislava 4-0 away from home, City thrashed Sparta Prague 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium in midweek.
Goals from Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, John Stones and Matheus Nunes landed the home side their latest European victory to put themselves alongside fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa and Liverpool at the top of the Champions League table.
Following this big win, Guardiola made a tongue-in-cheek comment about one of City’s goalscorers on the night which will have undoubtedly caught the attention of lots of supporters.
Guardiola jokes Stones could fill in for Haaland as City’s striker
When asked about Stones’ latest goal for the Blues in his post-match interview with TNT Sports, Guardiola gave this assessment about the defender’s knack for finding the back of the net.
He said: “When Erling is not available John can play as a striker. I remember Gerard Pique in Barcelona he had an incredible sense of goal like a striker, the composure and ability, and John is the same. He’s already scored a few goals. He’s back and I’m happy for him.”
Guardiola previously shared why Stones had not been playing regularly
So far this season, having started just five of the eight games he’s appeared in across all competitions, Stones has scored three goals.
After scoring the crucial late equaliser in City’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal, the defender then bagged the late winner in the Blues’ recent 2-1 win over Wolves last weekend.
Prior to the Sparta game, Guardiola said this about why Stones hadn’t been playing regularly in the early stages of the season as well as touching on his goalscoring efforts.
He said: “The only reason [Stones hasn’t been starting] is because Ruben [Dias] and Manuel [Akanji] were in incredible top form. It’s not a lack of confidence, it’s not bad form, whatever.
“He knows when he is fine and when he’s not. You know how many meetings, games and training sessions we have had together. It’s not about that but sometimes Ruben gives you something, Manu gives you something.
“It’s not about [how] he gave us one point against Arsenal, two points against Wolves for the goals he’s so important. Having a sense of goal – incredible in the box. It’s not about that.”
Even though the 53-year-old has a record of playing certain figures in new positions, putting Stones up front in Haaland’s absence may not be something he genuinely attempts to do.
However, if the centre-half can keep chipping in with goals for his side throughout the season, he could help them get their hands on some big trophies by the end of the campaign.
