Pep Guardiola compares John Stones to Barcelona icon with Erling Haaland claim
John Stones continued his purple patch as he again found the net in Manchester City's Champions League win with Pep Guardiola joking he can replace Erling Haaland
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorManchester City boss Pep Guardiola has compared John Stones to Gerard Pique as the centre-half continued his impressive goalscoring form.
The defender was on target as the Premier League champions hit five past Sparta Prague on Wednesday night. It comes just days after he headed home a 95th minute winner at Wolves. Stones has now scored three times this term having also netted against Arsenal.
His two domestic strikes have proved crucial, earning City an extra three points at this early stage of the season. Guardiola has drawn comparisons with Pique, who under the Catalan became one of the best centre-halves in the world when the pair were at Barcelona.
The City boss has even joked that, when his prolific marksman Erling Haaland is absent, he will use Stones as his deputy such is his eye for goal.
He told TNT Sports : "When Erling is not available John can play as a striker. Gerard Pique in Barca he had an incredible sense of goal and John is the same. He's already scored a few goals. He's back and I'm happy for him."
Stones has already scored three times - meaning he is just two shy of his best ever tally in a season. Back in 2020/21 the centre-half produced his best term in front of goal but is on track to top that.
Haaland himself produced more brilliance in City's Champions League rout. He notched twice with his second coming as a result of a stunning volley. Savinho's cross was behind the Norwegian but he showed impressive athleticism and improvisation to steer the ball home.
Guardiola said: "I saw it when the ball came in. It's unbelievable. He's a statue. So tall and so flexible. I like it, he has this sense of humour. Very similar to the Dortmund one a few years ago. Unbelievable. I don't know which was more difficult, both very difficult. He had some chances but it's difficult. He is literally on the penalty spot with three defenders and two midfielders - he's always surrounded by five or six players. He's so fast too that's maybe why teams defend so deep."
City needed less than five minutes to take the lead at the Etihad. Phil Foden opened the scoring and Matheus Nunes rounded things off from the penalty spot. It means the club have broken Manchester United's record for longest unbeaten run in the competition, taking their number to 26, although there is doubt over the validity of their haul.
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