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Distin questions Pep Guardiola's ability to improve John Stones defensively.

Distin believes Stones will not become a better defender under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad 


"No disrespect to him, he is a top manager, but will Guardiola make [Stones] a better defender? I can't see it"


Those were the words of former Everton and Manchester City defender Sylvain Distin.


Stones joined the Citizens back in 2016 for £50m and has struggled to secure a spot in Guardiola’s starting XI as injuries continue to hamper his form.


The 25-year-old has only been able to play only 81 times from a possible 142 Premier League matches, however, Distin who spent five seasons at Man City, doubts whether former Barca boss Guardiola can help the England centre-back reach his full potential at City.


"No disrespect to him, he is a top manager, but will Guardiola make [Stones] a better defender? I can't see it," Distin told The Beautiful Game Podcast.


"He will make him a better player coming out from the back with the ball - but better defender? I don't see it happening."


He added: "I'm not sure if [Stones] has got that defensive grit. He is an amazing player with the ball, really confident with the ball. As a modern centre-back, yes, he is amazing.


"Did he fulfil his potential? No. He still has a lot to learn and he has to be a lot more consistent. Can he fit in every team? I don't think so either. Definitely he has all the attributes but I feel like something didn't click for him yet.


"He could be much, much better than he is now. When I see that Manchester City would play a midfielder at centre-back when they have two or three centre-backs, as a centre-back that would hurt me greatly.


"That's my job and you take a midfielder to play in my position? That would hurt me. I don't know if he doesn't have the confidence of the manager or if something else but something needs to click with him.



"That means, if you make a costly mistake, because he is being too confident, or trying to force the play from the back, he had a manager who said 'never mind, you did the right stuff, carry on'.


"If you make a mistake and your manager says 'it's fine, don't worry' and the next game or two, three games after you make similar type of mistake and your manager says 'no, this is what I want to do, you carry on, I don't care' you get into a pattern where mentally you feel 'it's OK, I can make a mistake. That's what my manager wants.'


"When you're at a place like City it's okay because they have so much quality but at Everton that would cost us so it's difficult.


"I know he has reacted well every time, but I'm a bit scared that because of the last two managers he has had that put him in that pattern of 'it's OK to make a mistake, don't worry'."



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