The central defender has been in commanding form since returning from injury earlier this season and turned in another superb individual display in last weekend’s derby draw at Manchester United.
That was just the latest in a series of eye-catching displays with Stones looking fit and refreshed after being bedevilled by a series of frustrating injuries over the past 18 months or so.
And asked about Stones’ impressive form and attitude at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Southampton – and his response to the summer arrivals of fellow central defenders Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias - Guardiola was effusive in his praise for the 26-year-old.
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“His attitude has always been the same, but we see him happier and stronger because he is fit,” Guardiola declared.
“He is not injured every two or three weeks. That has helped a lot. The way he played, he did really well and that gives him confidence to do it.
“He’s a guy that is sensible, that helps to be focused on what we have to do
“My advice to him is the way he lives and cares for his profession, his body, his life, everything - he has to be like this for the next 10 or 12 years, here with me, without me and with other managers.
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“If he can avoid injury, he can be the player we always believed he could be.”
Asked if his recent form represented the best John Stones he had seen, Guardiola was also unequivocal in his response, urging the player to maintain his consistent high standards over a long period of time.
“Yeah, one of the best. But it’s just two or three games,” City boss added.
“A defender has to be consistent all season. But yeah, he gives us a good, good feeling.”
In the wake of Tuesday’s frustrating home draw with West Brom, City will travel to the St Mary’s Stadium lying in ninth place in the Premier League table, eight points leaders Liverpool albeit with a game in hand.
And asked whether he feared the gap could become too wide if his side were to drop many more points, the boss the acknowledged the pressing need to kick on and seek to build a run of consecutive victories.
“We know we have to start to win games and games and if we don’t it will not be possible,” Guardiola added.
“We know it. It’s not news. It’s not about Liverpool, Tottenham, Southampton - we have a game in hand, but we have to win it.
“We have to win games and games in a row to be there at the end.
“If we don’t it will not be possible.”
We will have full coverage of Saturday’s game against Southampton right here on ManCity.com.
Our Matchday Centre will get under way at 1pm, with text updates throughout the day meaning you won’t miss a beat.
Our We’re Not Really Here live matchday show starts at 2pm, with David James and Shaun Goater joining us in the studio.
And CITY+ subscribers can enjoy a full 90-minute replay from midnight.
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