Happy Stones wants to be forever Blue...
CITY defender John Stones wants to spend the rest of his career at the Etihad - and is keen to become captain of the Blues.
The England international joined City in 2016 after completing a £47.5m move from Everton.
He has been a star performer this season, featuring in a side that has conceded only 18 goals in the league the joint best in the division.
In an interview with CityTV, Stones said the atmosphere at the club was so positive that he has no desire to leave the Blues.
“I would love to stay and play with the rest of the boys for the rest of my career,” he said. “Some of the talent we have got and the potential, we could go on and do great things.”
Vincent Kompany is in the twilight of his career, and Stones is keen to take over the armband once the skipper finishes.
“I think you have got to earn it,” said Stones of the captaincy. “I don’t think you should go searching for it or push yourself out there when it might not be your time to be a captain.
“I will keep on trying to do everything I can to be a leader in my own way and if it comes to being captain, I would be over the moon.
“I am trying to lead with my own captain skills without being captain. I think that speaks more than being given the captain’s armband.
“I would love to deserve the honour of being the captain. That takes time to prove yourself.”
Pep Guardiola has transformed the fortunes of City this season, guiding his side 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League and reaching the Carabao Cup final.
Aside from the results, the Blues’ performances and attractive style of football has had supporters on the edge of their seats.
Centre-back Stones has played a crucial part in revolutionising City’s tactics, contributing both defensively and helping to build attacks.
But even Stones admits the manner of City’s victories have been ‘frightening’.
“I enjoy watching the boys when I am off the pitch,” he said. “Some of the stuff they do and how they play and some of the goals we score, it is frightening at times.
“I think football is always evolving. We are trying to push that boundary and move in the right direction to win games and bring back silverware.”
Stones now believes Guardiola has completely changed the way English teams play football.
“It is not easy when a team has played a different style of football for so long and then you bring in something new,” he said. “You have to put yourself out of the comfort zone to feel comfortable. I think that is the point that we have got to now.”