In the summer of 2016, Manchester City made John Stones the second most expensive defender of all time - only after David Luiz by completing his signing for £47.5 million.
During his time at the Etihad Stadium so far, not many players have experienced more ups and downs than the England international.
While the former Everton prodigy had all the tools to become the archetypal Pep Guardiola defender, he struggled to settle in to the side in his debut campaign.
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Despite showcasing a stark improvement during Manchester City’s legendary ‘Centurions’ season, a lack of form and injury woes stained his time at the club from that point onwards.
With John Stones reportedly looking set for an exit in the summer of 2020, a decision to stay put and fight for his place from the player turned his career around.
The ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’ rose up the pecking order at the club to form arguably the best centre-back pairing in the world with Ruben Dias during the 2020/21 term and ever since, has been one of the best players in his position across the continent.
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As one of the side’s most experienced current players, John Stones reflected on his six-year spell at Manchester City.
“It is hard to think about what's gone on because you're always on the move, you're always thinking about what comes next and you want more and to keep improving," he said in an interview with Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News.
The decorated defender continued, “You don't really get time to look at what's happened or spend much time thinking about it because the next thing is in front of you.
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"Seven years is something I'm extremely proud of, fighting at the top for all that time and I hope that can continue for many more years.
"It's somewhere I love - I love the people, I love the club and I think that's what makes going in every day and working and trying to be successful that more pleasing and satisfying because of how good everyone has been to me there and continues to be.”
The Englishman added, “You have your ups and downs and difficult moments but it's that old saying that nothing good comes easy.
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"Lifting the trophies and the willingness of the players and team to always improve and get better, it comes down to that winning mentality.
"The motivation from lifting a trophy and having that feeling grows stronger and you just want to repeat it and keep pushing that.
"When it doesn't come off it hurts and you use it to motivate yourself to go again.”
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At 28 years of age, John Stones seems to have fulfilled his potential and remains one of Manchester City’s most key players if they wish to enjoy another successful season this time around.
Topics: John Stones, Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Premier League, Football
Srinivas Sadhanand