John Stones backs himself to improve ahead of second season at Manchester City

Manchester City defender John Stones has backed himself to improve on a testing first season at the Etihad.

The 23-year-old centre-back arrived in Manchester for £47.5m from Everton last summer, but endured a difficult campaign under coach Pep Guardiola, who decided to drop the youngster on several occasions last term.

"I'm a big enough lad now to know that I should just get over it and do what I have to do, by getting out on the training pitch and correcting the faults," Stones said in an interview with ESPN.

"I think a lot of things can get overlooked and a lot of emphasis is put on the mistakes, rather than the good things. Maybe 60 to 70% of the season is positive, but that's how football works I guess and it probably happens too much.

"What matters is how I feel and if the manager is happy and my family are happy – that circle are who I should listen to."

City's defensive line will be bolstered next term following the recent high-profile arrival of fellow defenders Benjamin Mendy, Kyle Walker and Danilo.