A year ago, this month, John Stones and Manchester City went to Barcelona in the Champions League with great expectations after a 10-match winning start and just one defeat.
They returned with a humbling 4-0 loss and the stark realisation of how much they still had to improve to match the Spanish kings.
For the centre-back it was a particularly sobering moment as Lionel Messi – who scored a hat-trick – Luis Suarez and Neymar left his defence dazed in defeat.
While under-fire keeper Claudio Bravo was sent off against his former club, Stones was also criticised as he too endured a difficult debut campaign following a £47.5 million move from Everton in the summer.
But Pep Guardiola had faith and Stones had no fear, working hard to rebuild a reputation that had seen him lauded as a future defensive great.
With 11 clean sheets in 16 games this season, two of them with England, the 23-year-old has been a commanding and classy figure as City have started unbeaten and visit West Brom in the Premier League today on the back of a club record 12-match winning run and five-point lead at the top.
He will also relish the chance to show how much he has grown in 12 months when he faces Neymar, the world’s most expensive player following his £200m summer move from Barca to Paris Saint-Germain, again next month as England host Brazil in a Wembley friendly.
“It will be a different scenario against Brazil,” says Stones. “Playing for England, a different team, and he’s with Brazil not Barcelona this time, it will be different, but it’s another challenge.
Stones is raring to face up to Neymar Jr. once again.
“He’s one of the best I have faced. But there’s no fear. It’s a platform to go show yourself. When you are playing against the top names everyone wants to be the best they can and you have to prove yourself against the best.
“We were all a bit shocked of how much the transfer fee was [when he went to PSG], but it was not down to him. When I got bought I said it was the two teams who make the price and you can’t do much about it. Neymar is a top-quality player and that’s why he’s moved there. It’s always a challenge, but I look forward to it.”
After his early struggles, Stones is now showing his quality and earning deserved plaudits alongside Nicolas Otamendi, with injured captain Vincent Kompany not expected back for around another month with a muscle problem.
While likened in style to his idol Rio Ferdinand, the 23-year-old had earned the nickname the ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’ for his control and confidence on the ball and ability to instigate attacks or sweep up behind him.
But he is determined to make his own name in the game and create his own history.
“It’s definitely flattering to have that kind of comparison,” he said of the reference to the German legend Beckenbauer. “I had heard about him. But I still have a lot to learn and achieve and I want to make my own name, make my own mark.
“I am trying to concentrate on my game, trying to keep things as simple as possible, but I watch any big games that are on and learn.
“It (the praise) pleases me. I am working hard and all I can do is keep trying and playing the way I know how. Having the team-mates around me to do that is always massive. I am learning off them too.
Stones has formed an excellent partnership with Otamendi.
“For me, I think the same mentality is there as last season and the same hunger and desire to do it.
“It’s just down to hard work on the pitch and my clean sheets are speaking for themselves. As a player I am always looking to improve and the team and the gaffer is pushing us to do it.
“I didn’t feel any pressure last season because of the price tag. I think a lot of things get overseen by a few results and you get judged by that. That sticks in people’s minds. But if everyone looks back at the games and sees how I defended, how I wanted to play, they would change their opinion.
“Things are just clicking now. We are improving as a back four and the whole team is improving too.
“We brought new players in, had more time together which always helps. It has just all gelled together.”
It certainly has, with City’s mean machine at the back complemented by a goal machine in attack as they have scored 41 times in all competitions and Sergio Aguero needs one more to become the club’s all-time leading scorer.
While they may look unstoppable, Stones says City – also top of their Champions League group and in the League Cup quarter-finals – are prepared for more tough tests as they bid to grow and become English football’s major force.
“With this group, hopefully we can dominate for the next few years,” he added. “We have to take each game as it comes though, from the Premier League, Champions League and the cups, every game is a new challenge.
“Every team has got their qualities and every one we face is another challenge. But we want those challenges and are ready for them.
“Our mindset is to go out there and play our game. We do our research and it’s about executing our game plan, sticking to what we can do and believe in. It’s all about how we work as a team.”
