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Pep Guardiola may have found the perfect Rodri replacement with the Ballon d'Or contender set to miss the rest of the season with injury.
Manchester City's search for a replacement for injured midfielder Rodri has received a boost, with John Stones declaring himself "100%" ready to fill the void.
Rodri has been hailed as the best midfielder in the world by City boss Pep Guardiola, and his season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury has prompted the manager to explore alternative solutions.
Stones has frequently featured in midfield, often advancing from defence when City dominate possession,
He excelled in that role during the 2023 Champions League final victory over Inter and is prepared to repeat the task if called upon.
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John Stones ready to replace Rodri as Man City's tempo-setter
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Asked if he's prepared to replace Rodri, Stones replied:
"Yeah, if called upon, 100%. [We have] a lot of quality and a lot of players that are more than capable of filling in that position."
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Stones' enthusiasm for the midfield role is evident. "I love it – it's a different way of looking at the game. [I have] appreciation for players who have played there, understanding the game, learning from a defender's point of view, when to receive and pass the ball, appreciation of the guys who play that role."
He added: "I always enjoy it and try every time I go in there. The manager puts us there for a reason and it's about going out there and doing a job.
"It happened a lot over the last two years – me going into midfield. In the Champions League final I was a bit higher up [the field] – that was new for me. Something I enjoyed."
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