5 most influential transfers of the 2016/17 summer transfer window

#3 John Stones

Pep Guardiola was determined to get a ball playing centre-back and the arrival of John Stones at Manchester City would have delighted the supremely successful Spanish manager. Guardiola’s sides always have a certain style of playing and John Stones is crucial to implementing the style at Manchester City.

To any ordinary supporter, John Stones might not have had as much impact as Sergio Aguero or even Raheem Sterling, but to a more discerning eye, Stones is the backbone of the Guardiola philosophy.

The former Everton man might have made only 3 appearances for the Citizens so far, but his ability to play out from the back has made City implement Guardiola’s blueprint to the hilt in the Premier League.

Why is he important? – John Stones is the ideal ball playing defender and is crucial to Pep Guardiola’s philosophy at Manchester City.