Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has praised John Stones for handling his new role.

Stones has revelled in a new hybrid role where he moves between right back and into central midfield when City have the ball.

Guardiola said: “Our shape was completely different [in the past] and that's why maybe he struggled a little bit more and now he knows, he practiced more, he knows more our routine is a little bit better and that's why he can use it better.

“At the same time, it's a new position for him and he has to be able all the time to concentrate more than when you play as a central defender or other positions.

“When you see the game from behind it's completely different to when you play in the middle and are surrounded. Some movement and patterns are a little bit more difficult that's why I appreciate a lot what he has done."

He added: “We saw some specific things [in John] with the ball, especially in the build-up," he added. “We were happy to have him but all that he has achieved here and with the national team belongs to him.

“We know the qualities, who is fast, not fast, who has the ability to make the receptions, their body shapes and the quality of the pass, the vision, anticipate what happens, one against one - you discover them. You see them day-by-day, after training, game-after-game and you realise it."