Manchester City defender John Stones recently spoke about the similarities he sees between himself and former Barcelona center-back Gerard Pique. Stones joined City in 2016 under the management of Pep Guardiola, who previously coached Pique at Barcelona. Stones revealed that he admired Pique while playing for the Barnsley youth team, where they were encouraged to emulate Barcelona’s style of play.
Stones highlighted that he looked up to Pique for his stature and playing style, mentioning that they have similar builds. He admires Pique’s courage and ability to play in tight areas, qualities that he also aims to embody in his own gameplay. Stones acknowledged Guardiola as the best manager in the world and credited him for helping him develop his skills by imparting knowledge gained from working with players like Pique.
Having watched Pique play on big stages for both club and country, Stones drew parallels between his game and the Spanish defender’s. He expressed his admiration for Pique’s career and emphasized the impact that Guardiola has had on his own development as a player. Stones’ respect for Pique’s style of play and his appreciation for Guardiola’s coaching demonstrate his commitment to improving and succeeding at the highest level of football.
Stones also discussed how Guardiola’s coaching approach helped him become a better player. “Pep’s approach is all about communication,” said Stones, “He always encourages us to express ourselves on the field and to be creative with our play.” This helped Stones improve his decision-making skills, which have been crucial in his career.
Furthermore, Stones spoke about how much he enjoys playing alongside some of City’s other top players like Sergio Aguero, David Silva, and Kevin De Bruyne. “They all bring something unique to the team,” said Stones, “And we all work together really well.”
Overall, John Stones is committed to continuing to improve as a player under Manchester City’s leadership while also looking up to Gerard Pique as an inspiration.
