INTERVIEW: Stones on Sheikh Mansour meeting during Abu Dhabi trip

Alam Khan - Reporter 08:41 08/03/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Talent: Stones is improving under Pep's guidance.

    It may only have been seconds, but John Stones says they were “precious” when he met the driving force behind Manchester City’s rise to become an all-conquering force in European football.

    As they push for Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League honours over the next three months, Pep Guardiola’s squad were given a massive lift when Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan dropped in during the club’s recent training camp in Abu Dhabi.

    After buying the club in 2008, the City owner has been to just one game publicly at the Etihad Stadium, when they beat Liverpool 3-0 back in 2010.

    But Stones has seen how the club has been transformed on and off the pitch by his billion pound backing to the extent they are now challenging Barcelona and Real Madrid’s elite standing.

    The England centre-back, a £47.5 million summer signing from Everton, exclusively told Sport360: “It was a great trip to Abu Dhabi and brilliant to meet Sheikh Mansour and spend some time with him at one session. It was also great to get a feeling from him about the club.

    “He introduced himself, we all knew who he was, but the first time meeting him, yeah, it felt a bit nervous.

    “What he’s done, he’s massive for the football club and the players themselves with the backing he gives, like when I first signed.

    “It was great to see him. He said hello and wished me all the best. He had a lot of people to get through and the 30 seconds or whatever he spoke to each of us was precious time.

    “From speaking to him and the chairman [Khaldoon Al Mubarak], the passion they have for the club, that gets driven across to us, and it’s just great. It makes you feel like it’s a family club, makes it more special for us.

    “You can see how Sheikh Mansour wants to make this club great in the long term, definitely. With the players we have got, with the manager, the backroom staff, everyone, we have to aim big and we can be great.

    “We know our talents, our capabilities and the backing from everyone from above is vital. We want to become winners and the feeling is that we can be up there with the best teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid, 100 per cent.”

    With Guardiola shaping a young, vibrant side to challenge for the game’s biggest prizes, the City boss said Sheikh Mansour told him he ‘would like that I stay here for a long, long, long, long time’.

    And Stones has no regrets about signing a six-year deal, despite defensive errors and criticism blighting his beginning at the Etihad.

    Four successive league wins, conceding just one goal, have seen third-placed City target Chelsea’s top spot even though they are 11 points behind with a game in hand.

    As they prepare to face Stoke on Wednesday ahead of an FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough on Saturday and their Champions League last-16 return leg in Monaco, Stones believes both he and the team are hitting top form.

    “I can’t describe how big a move it was for me,” the 22-year-old said. “There’s no regrets at all.

    “When I first met the manager it was an easy decision, one that anyone dreams of.

    “For them to give me the opportunity, and since being here, I feel I have improved massively already. Playing in that Champions League game against Monaco, and Barcelona, even though we lost, for my learning it is vital.

    “I think I’m getting back to my best now as well. I don’t think anyone is always at their best, but I can only strive for that.

    “I’m enjoying my football too and that’s the main thing. I feel I am getting better and can bring something to the team like every other player.

    “It’s very special to be at City at this time. With the young players here too, it’s definitely exciting in the coming years as we all grow. That’s why I came.”

    Turn up the ☀️! #mancity #manchestercity #mcfc #abudhabi

    A post shared by Manchester City (@mancity) on

    With Stones and close pal Raheem Sterling both the same age (22), Leroy Sane, 21, and Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus, 19, he admits there’s “massive excitement ahead” about City’s potential, especially with Guardiola wanting more quality young players.

    Although Jesus is currently sidelined with a foot injury after an explosive start with three goals in as many games, Sterling and Sane have now teamed up with Sergio Aguero to form a thrilling attacking triumvirate.

    City’s own SAS have fired nine of the side’s 12 goals in the last three games and Stones, who bagged one himself in the 5-3 first-leg win over Monaco, said: “It’s a joy to watch them on the pitch.

    “From training, it’s not nice to play against them for sure. They’re frightening. Those three are vital with their roles in the team if we are to achieve something this season. They are quality and we need them to keep it going.”

    Guardiola’s guidance will also help as Stones admits they are eager to keep learning from arguably the world’s best coach.

    “I know I keep referring to the manager’s input, but the whole team, from the senior pros to us young lads, teaching us tactically, mentally and physically, it’s what we need and we are trying to keep growing and improving,” he added. “We are like hungry students under him.

    “I may be biased but, for me, Raheem’s one of the best in the business. How he does his things, how he attacks players, it’s fantastic and he’s still young. He’s learning, working hard as I am and wants to get better as we all do as young players.”

    Stones added: “I think Raheem’s been at that top level for years. He’s always had the attributes, but I just think he’s gained more experience. The more we play the more we are going to gain that and get better.

    “I don’t want to put him on the spot by comparing him to other players, but I like him massively and I think he will get there to the very top. He’s ambitious, he aims high and that’s credit to him. He wants to learn, he wants to get better.

    “You can see that in his game from the start of the season to now. And you can see that with all of us in how we have progressed and improved, especially the younger players. You just need confidence and belief.

    “Look at how much Leroy has come on too. I didn’t know much about him when he came, but he’s done unbelievably well. His pace, work-rate for the team, tracking back and getting forward to assist and score goals, it’s all there. He’s had a great start and hopefully it will continue. For all of us too. We’re on a good run and need to keep our focus.”

    Recommended