Garcia backs his old pal Nathan to be a hit after his move to Stoke

NOBODY mention ‘Stokelona’ but there will be a Spanish or Catalan influence to Nathan Jones’ Stoke City.

Jones spent time as a young player over in Spain with Numancia then Badajoz, where team-mates include the late former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova. He can speak the language fluently and still swears by afternoon naps.

His coaching philosophy has also been influenced by the Spanish way and was shaped again by working with Oscar Garcia at Brighton.

They arrived at the club in the summer of 2013 and took them into the Championship play-offs that season.

Jones stayed when Garcia then left on a career path which has taken him to Israel, Watford, Austria, France and Greece, but the latter has kept an eye on his progress.

Garcia, speaking to Stokeontrentlive, said: “Nathan is a guy with a lot of energy, very positive, with an open mind to keep learning.

“He wanted to learn a lot from our philosophy and methodology when we arrived at Brighton and he joined my staff. He is still using many things from this philosophy and methodology.

“He also has Joaquin (Gomez), his first team coach, who worked with us at Brighton.”

Stoke already have a chapter in their own history with Spanish or former Barcelona players, including Ibrahim Afellay, Marc Muniesa and, of course, Bojan.

Ex-barca midfielder and youth coach Garcia said: “He likes to play the 4-4-2 diamond but he can adapt. He likes the Spanish style and he loves good technical players.”

The big question is whether Jones can continue his winning record at Stoke.

“Why not?” said Garcia. “I wish him the best – and his best will be the best for Stoke.”