John Stones has admitted his new auxiliary midfield role at Manchester City has been a 'big learning curve.'
After the likes of Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva and Rico Lewis operated in the inverted full-back position already this season, Stones has become the latest to be tasked with the difficult job by Pep Guardiola. However, the defender is succeeding with flying colours and played it - despite there being a further tweak of moving from centre-back into the middle rather than right-back - perfectly in Tuesday's thrilling win over Bayern Munich.
City put the Bundesliga champions to the sword by winning 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final thanks to goals from Rodri, Bernardo and Erling Haaland. Stones set up the third goal with a towering and perfectly placed header into the Norwegian sensation's path and after the game discussed what skills he's had to develop in his new role.
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"Yeah a lot of new things," he told BT Sport when asked what he's had to change about his game in the new role. "A big learning curve for me in positioning, being unselfish, knowing when to create space for others. It definitely doesn't come natural, I don't think.
"I'm learning all the time and trying to adapt and give everything for them first and foremost. And yeah, express myself as well when I'm in there. I think getting on the ball and trying to read situations and then, whatever the manager is asking of me and we work on that in training all the time. It's always easier when coming to a game day and knowing my roles and responsibilities.
"I think we’ve been together seven years now and know what’s expected of me, first and foremost. I think he wouldn’t do it if he didn’t believe he could do it and put players in positions that he doesn’t know that they’re comfortable there or can’t do a role, then it’s about us trying to execute that and believing in our own abilities. I’m trying to express myself and do everything I can for the team."
On what he's enjoying the most about the position, he added: "I think I’ve tried not to do too much, to be honest. Players have got this 360 vision that comes natural to some, I’ve not found that yet. If I can 100 per cent know that I can turn and play out, I will do, but I’m always trying to play it safe and keep the ball moving.
"As I said before, creating space for others, I think it’s a role that other teams have picked up on now and are trying to force us outside and not go through the middle as much. At Southampton last week, that last game, we were man marked quite tight so it’s adapting to those situations and trying to move and get on the ball, then knowing where other players are going to be as well.
"We work so hard in training knowing where everyone is going to be on the pitch, then it’s about realising the situations you’re in. The more I keep doing it, the more I’ll keep improving."
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