MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 16:07:15| >> :60:2893:2893:

John Stones relishing revival in Man City team

John Stones relishing revival in Man City team
© Reuters
Defender is re-emerging this season.

John Stones is determined to make the most of his unexpected return to the Manchester City limelight.

The defender is currently keeping Aymeric Laporte out of the City side after grabbing an early-season opportunity.

Stones seemed to be facing an uncertain future in the summer after the signings of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake appeared to relegate him to fourth-choice centre-back.

Stones had fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium
Stones had fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium (Alex Livesey/PA)

The 26-year-old has started five of City's last six Premier League games and each of them have ended with clean sheets, hauling the team towards the title race after a sluggish start to the season.

Stones said: "I feel great. I am just trying to help the team as much as I can and grab my opportunity when I am on the pitch and contribute as much as I can to the team.

"I am thoroughly enjoying every moment when I am out there with the team in every competition. I feel fit and ready to fight for everything we play in."

Stones spent most of last season on the periphery of the City side and the general feeling was that he had not lived up to expectations following his £47.5million move from Everton in 2016.

But after rumours that he could leave the club, his recent renaissance has led to talk of a new contract and a recall to the England side for the first time in over a year.

Stones has not played for England since November 2019
Stones has not played for England since November 2019 (Mike Egerton/PA)

He puts his revival down to a renewed determination fuelled by a desire to regain his place.

"It makes you realise how hard you have worked and that the hard work is paying off," he said of his return to the side. "It makes you realise how special it is to be out there and also to realise that when other players aren't playing, how they feel and what you should do for them when you are on the pitch.

"There are a lot of aspects you can look at but it is something you cannot take granted. There are always twists and turns and you have got to grab it with both hands and enjoy it and that is what I am doing. I am really enjoying my football.

"I think I have learnt who I am as a player. I have learnt a lot of things football-wise as a person as well.

"It always makes it easier when you are winning and keeping clean sheets but I am just trying to move in the right direction and to keep trying to become better as a player and as a team."

Stones played for Everton from 2013-16
Stones played for Everton from 2013-16 (Peter Byrne/PA)

City, who beat Newcastle on Boxing Day, are back in action as they travel to Stones' former club Everton on Monday.

The Yorkshireman has fond memories of his time at Goodison Park, where he made his name after moving from Barnsley in 2013.

He said: "I loved my time there. The time I spent there was a vital time in my career. It was a great environment to be in and I have a lot of great memories.

"Now they are a great team and the new manager coming in has put his stamp on the team. They are making great progress and I am sure it will be a great match when we come up against them."

ID:428191: cacheID:428191:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8586:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti pictured on November22, 2020
Read Next:
Carlo Ancelotti plays down Everton's Premier League title chances
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!