Pep Guardiola’s side have kept five clean sheets and conceded just three goals in their nine matches in all competitions, a key reason they sit top of the Premier League and are three points clear in their Champions League group after two matches.
Stones’ individual performances have attracted plenty of praise, with the England defender looking increasingly comfortable in recent weeks, and he says City’s defensive solidity comes from hard work on the training pitch.
“I’m trying to work hard at my game in training and enjoy my football,” he said after City’s 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk, a game that saw him complete 101 passes, more than any other player on the pitch.
“It always helps when we’re winning and scoring goals and keeping clean sheets.
“From my perspective, and the back four and the ‘keeper, to keep clean sheets has been a big target and we’ve been defensively solid in the Premier League and Champions League.
“It’s about carrying that on now. It’s a big thing for me and it’s as satisfying as the boys up the top scoring.”
City have operated with a back three and a back four so far this season, with Guardiola keen to see his players able to switch between different systems.
So far, the transition between the two has been effortless, with the Club’s defenders looking equally adept with either approach.
Stones, who has started eight of City’s nine matches so far this term, believes it’s important to be able to play various formations in order to combat the different challenges opposition sides pose.
“We’ve got to adapt to how other teams play and we’ve shown we can do that with a back three,” he said.
“We work on both systems in training and if you’re comfortable in both, it’s another string to your bow.”
Stones also reserved special praise for Fabian Delph, whose displays in an unfamiliar left-back role in City’s last two matches have caught the eye.
The former Aston Villa player curled a beauty into the top corner past Wayne Hennessey in the 5-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, before an eye-catching performance in the Champions League against Shakhtar three days later.
Stones says it’s been a pleasure to play alongside him.
“Brilliant. His attitude has been great,” he said.
“Obviously, it’s not his position but he’s just got on with it and done a brilliant job there and absolute credit to him.
“He topped it off the other day with a goal and tonight with a clean sheet, so he’s really pleased.”
