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John Stones confident Pep Guardiola can bring the best out of him at Manchester City

Football

By Mirror | Aug 09, 2016

John Stones claims Pep Guardiola can bring the best out of him after finally completing his £47.5million move to Manchester City from Everton.

Stones has finally signed for City after weeks of haggling between the clubs and says he is excited about working with Blues boss Guardiola.

"I hope he can bring out everything in me," said the England defender, who has agreed a six-year deal.

"I always know that there's a lot of improvement for my game personally. It's 110 per cent the right decision to play under him and I'm so thankful that I'm getting the opportunity to come here and play with the best and improve day in, day out.

"He's a winner and I think that's what's going to rub off on everyone. We need to win games and I'm sure that's what will happen."

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Stones claims his England pals Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling urged him to join, claiming they need him.

"They said we need you, we want you here and with all the boys you'll settle in quick," he said. "They didn't try and persuade me too much.

"I was kind of sold already, but we get along so well so I'm sure when we're in training it'll feel like home. I've only been here a few hours, but it does feel good already.

"I'm shocked and speechless. I can't really describe how I'm feeling right now. There are a lot of people to tell and pure excitement. I can't wait to get going.

"I've just rung my mum and all my family to say I can't believe that I'm here playing for such a big club and the best manager in the world. It all seems so surreal. It will take a few weeks to settle in and get my head around everything, but I'm super excited."

Stones is adamant City can challenge for the Premier League under Guardiola after last season's disappointment.

"I'm quietly confident that we'll definitely be up there," he said. "There's a lot of strong teams and everyone is buying new players.

"It's exciting times for everyone in the Premier League. We all know that there is no easy game so it is definitely exciting for me. I think we have such a good chance of going far and I just want to get going now. The more we talk about it the more I want it to come."

Stones is also relishing making his Champions League debut against Steaua Bucharest in next week's first-leg play-off.

"It's massive," he said. "I actually came to one of the games last season against Real Madrid and it was just pure excitement of the Champions League from watching it at home on TV to actually being at a game is a totally different experience.

"From people I have spoken to who have played in the Champions League, they say it's so different and so special.

"I think those are the moments that I'll cherish playing in and I really want to play how I do and bring something different to the team that will take us to the next level."