Stones aims for skipper’s armband at Manchester City

John Stones admits he already has designs on the Manchester City captaincy after fast becoming one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenants on the field.

The 22-year-old was signed for the princely sum of £47.5m from Everton last month as a player of huge promise – if in need of a lot of polish.

However, under Guardiola’s guidance, the defender has flourished in a quite unexpected way so early into his City career.

Guardiola talks to Stones on the touchline during breaks in play as a way to relay his message to the rest of the team.

And though fellow centre-back Vincent Kompany is firmly entrenched as City’s skipper, Stones believes he can be a candidate for the role in the future.

“(Pep) is talking to me about the opposition, how they’re playing,” he said. “I suppose it’s easier for me to run over than a midfielder or a striker and I can then tell everyone from there.

“It’s just little details in games that are good to pass on. It’s all about how we can beat the opposition and that’s what they’re trying to do to us as well – little formation changes or how we can beat a certain system.

“I’d like to be captain one day. Every player wants to be captain of their team and to do so for years to come. It’s a privileged position to be in to captain your club and country.

“These are dreams you dream about when you’re a little boy. You have to deserve the right to be captain but I’d love to be one day and I’ll keep working hard to try to be.”