John Stones sees ‘a lot of similarities’ between Pep Guardiola and Lee Carsley

John Stones says he can see Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola in England interim manager Lee Carsley’s approach to the game.

Carsley took over from Gareth Southgate on a temporary basis in the summer and won his opening two games against Republic of Ireland and Finland in the Nations League.

The victories were based on an attacking approach and Stones says he can see Guardiola’s style in Carsley.

“Everyone has got their own unique style and I think there are similarities throughout every manager in what they want,” Stones said ahead of Thursday’s match with B2 Group leaders Greece at Wembley, where he will be captain for the first time.

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“There are a lot of similarities between Lee and Pep in how they see the game and how they want us to play and I think we saw that last month when we played the two games and obviously got positive results from them.

“It’s been great for me with the likenesses of how we play. They do a lot of research on us as players and as teams and see how we play at our clubs and try to bring that in and make it as easy as possible for us as players to gel together and move forward in one direction.”

Stones says he is not giving much thought to the off-field turmoil Manchester City are embroiled in and is only concerned about getting his place back in the side.

City are currently at loggerheads with the Premier League after claiming victory in a legal challenge against financial rules.

Director of football Txiki Begiristain is also reported to be set to exit the club to leave things unsettled at the Etihad Stadium.

Stones, who has made just one Premier League start this season after enjoying an extended break following England’s run to the Euro 2024 final, says he is more focused on his own situation.

Asked if the boardroom dealings were a concern, the 30-year-old said: “The honest truth is no, it doesn’t worry me.

“I am very much someone if I cannot control it I don’t give it the headspace or attention. That might seem a bit wrong in some ways, but that is how I deal with it.

“At the end of the day, it is out of my hands and I put a lot of trust in the club and the people around me are good.”

On his lack of game time, Stones added: “It’s always frustrating when you want to play. I think that’s football. Obviously, coming back later than the majority of the squad after the Euros, the team being in good form, there’s a lot of factors.

“I’ve been in this position before, where you are in and out and don’t really get a run of games but you know how important you are and you know not to get frustrated and to be there for the team.

“That’s what I’ve done and had a positive effect from the bench and when I have started as well. I am always going to say I wish I could start every game but it is a long season and there are a lot of important games coming up.”