John Stones has claimed that his all-round defensive game is already improving under the guidance of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The England international has started all three of the Citizens' league games since being lured to the Etihad Stadium from Everton this summer for a fee of £47.5m.
Stones was criticised at times last season for his judgement when on the ball in dangerous positions, often attempting to play his way out of danger at the back, but the 22-year-old insists that he is constantly learning under the 'world's best manager'.
"We can all regroup from putting it in row Z sometimes," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying. "From last season to the start of this season I'm realising when to do it. That's where I believe I have come on quite a lot as a player. I was doing things before and then afterwards I would think, 'Why have I done that? Why haven't I just put it out in row Z?'
"Already I can see a difference in my decision-making. I just want to keep improving, keep getting games under my belt. That's why I moved to City and, in my eyes, the best manager to work with in football.
"Hopefully he will bring me on leaps and bounds. I've been taking in a lot of information these last few weeks, trying to figure out how to fit in. But you have to keep improving as a player and as a person because you have to move on in life."
Stones has been named in England's starting lineup for the opening World Cup qualifying fixture away at Slovakia on Sunday evening.
Daniel Lewis
