PEP GUARDIOLA says John Stones can become the new Ronald Koeman.
Guardiola sees big similarities between his £47.5million centre-back, 22, and former Barcelona team-mate Koeman.
He said: “They are quite similar in that they both like to play the ball.
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“Normally a central defender is a big guy, good with their head, marks man-to-man — and we need that, of course. You need central defenders for that. But now it’s a plus if they’ve got the quality to play.
“They have similarities. Especially in the mentality. John is a guy who always wants to play. Normally players who like to play the ball handle the pressure better than the ones who don’t.”
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Guardiola faces his old Barca pal today as City and Stones host Everton.
And he said: “I cannot compare them still now, not yet, but maybe in the future. The long balls of Ronald — he was the best ever. But John is young enough, he can improve.”
Meanwhile Guardiola has told skipper Vincent Kompany they need him quickly.
He said: “He’s almost ready to come back.”
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