CITY SPECIAL Lescott says John is the special one
THE rise of John Stones has been one of many success stories for City this season.
The 23-year-old has vastly improved under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola, establishing himself as one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League.
With nine clean sheets for City already this season, Stones is beginning to look like a player justifying the £47.5m transfer fee that secured his services from Everton.
And playing under Guardiola is the perfect platform for Stones to further his development, according to former Blues defender Joleon Lescott.
Speaking to the official City website, Lescott said: “John can do things most defenders can’t, a little feint here and there, maybe a turn to get out of trouble when he needs to – and that’s what is going to set him apart from others, the ability to do things others can’t.
“He’ll do his job and defend well, but there will be moments when he does something special and you’ll just go ‘ah, that’s why he’s regarded as the best’.
“He doesn’t seem to get fazed by anything and always seems calm and he never hides – he’s got everything and he’ll get to wherever he wants to get because we have to remember he’s still only 23.
“I’ve been really impressed by him, especially this season where he seems to be going from strength to strength.” JOHN Stones says that Nicolas Otamendi will be a ‘big miss’ for City when they hit the Premier League title trail again.
The Argentina international will serve a onematch suspension when the Blues head to Leicester a week on Saturday, breaking up his successful partnership with Stones.
The pair have played together in City’s last 12 Premier League and Champions League games, winning all of them to contribute to a new English record of 15 straight wins.
They have conceded just eight goals in those 12 games – but now Pep Guardiola will have to find Stones a new partner.
The 23-year-old is on England duty, shaping up to face Blues colleagues Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus in friendly internationals.
But he admitted that the loss of Otamendi is a blow. “It’s massive if we lose anyone through injury or suspension,” he said.
“Every player either playing or on the bench is vital to us with the amount of games.
“With the rotation of the squad we all know everyone has a part to play in the season, no matter