PEP: I SWEAR STONES STAYS

PEP GUARDIOLA turned the air Blue when pressed over defender John Stones’ future with the Manchester City boss branding reports he was being sold as “lies”.

Stones, 23, was signed for £47.5million back in August 2016 but has failed to establish a regular first-team place with injuries blighting his career at The Etihad. But boss Guardiola has come out fighting on his behalf and categorically denies that there are any plans to sell him – contrary to midweek speculation linking him with Chelsea. Guardiola said: “I don’t believe people think we are going to sell John Stones. “He is a young England international player and he is a huge part of why I won the title here with Manchester City this season.

“For the first six months he was amazing. But then he came back injured from the national team.

“He handled that situation while Vinny Kompany came back on a good level.

“Nico Otamendi was then on an amazing level and Aymeric Laporte’s impact from the beginning has been good.

So good.

“So all four now have to compete against each other and the best one I am going to decide there. But John is not going to move.

“I don’t know how long I will be here in Manchester but however long, John Stones will be here because he is a f***ing amazing guy.

“He is going to stay here with me. It is a joy to train him. I want to help him. John Stones is going nowhere. I’m sorry for the guys who announced we want to sell him and he will move on. I’m sorry – they lie.”

Meanwhile, Guardiola is not championing his own cause to become Manager of the Year and instead points to Burnley’s Sean Dyche and Rafa Benitez at Newcastle as potential winners of the award this season.

The Spaniard, who also led City to Carabao Cup victory, believes that potential top-half finishes for the Toon and the Clarets should see the award go elsewhere.

He replied: “I don’t know. I don’t know.

“My colleagues may choose the Burnley manager or Rafa Benitez. They have both done amazing jobs.” STEVE MILLAR