John Stones has continued to shine throughout the opening fixtures of the 2017/18 campaign and is earning plaudits from the press.
“This season the former Everton man looks a player reborn,” Sportbible wrote. “Full of confidence at the heart of City’s defence, no doubt helped by having a commanding goalkeeper behind him in Summer arrival Ederson.
“While City have only conceded four goals in their opening nine Premier League matches, it’s not the watertight nature of their defence that is actually the most impressive aspect of Stones’ displays.
“It’s the fact the former Barnsley youngster has the highest pass completion rate of any player in the top five leagues in Europe.”
Stones’ dazzling performances may have been seen by basketball legend Kobe Bryant, as he has recently revealed that not only is he a fan of football… but he is a fan of Man City and our boss, Pep Guardiola!
During a recent interview the former NBA star shared his thoughts on Pep and revealed he had been keeping a close eye on the Blues.
“Man City is a team that I’ve been following,” Byrant said during a recent interview with Cheeky Sport.
“Well Pep, it goes back to the Barca days and I think the style of football, the brand of football that he teaches, the tika taka style is something that is very, very entertaining.
“And I love the way he teaches, playing triangles, I love the way he sets up combinations and awesome stuff.
“It’s fun to watch, I enjoy the way he teaches.”
Elsewhere in the media, the Manchester Evening News believes that Pep Guardiola’s side have the opportunity to drive home a Premier League advantage before the upcoming international break.
Before players head off for international duty, City face West Bromwich Albion away at the Hawthorns before hosting Arsenal at home, which gives Pep’s men the opportunity to grab another six points.
The MEN wrote in their article: “Before City kick off at the Hawthorns, at least one of the two teams seen as their main rivals for the title will drop points.”
“Neither United nor Tottenham will overtake City with a win, but both can lose ground.
“Where last year City were level on points with Liverpool and Chelsea after ten games, they could end this weekend seven points ahead of their nearest challenger.”
Chelsea are the reigning Premier League Champions but – like all the other clubs - sit below City, who are at the summit of the table.
“If you were to look at where Chelsea won the league last year, 13 consecutive wins between October and December including victories over Spurs and Chelsea would do it,” the newspaper wrote.
“Clear at the top of the league as it is, City already have more points this year than they had managed by the November international break last time out and can ram home their advantage in the next nine days.
“Wins over West Brom and Arsenal would arguably be as crucial for Guardiola this time round as Chelsea’s run was for Antonio Conte last time out.”
That’s all for now - follow City’s clash with West Brom on mancity.com later today.
