Manchester City ace John Stones has revealed that opposition players have praised his style of play and urged him not to change.
The 23-year-old is a ball-playing centre-back, who has come under huge criticism in recent seasons for not being able to display the simple art of defending.
Barnsley Academy product Stones made a £47.5million move to Manchester City from Everton last summer, with Pep Guardiola making the England man one of his first signings.
In his debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium, City secured a top-four finish but they finished the season without a trophy.
When reflecting back on the recently concluded campaign, Stones stated how the opposition have made him feel great for the manner in which he plays.
“I’ve had some nice messages after games from players who I haven’t spoken to before,” Stones told the Guardian.
“I won’t name people and drop them in it, but I’ve had messages from opposition strikers and defenders saying that they respect and love the way I play, telling me to keep doing it and not to change the way I am.”
Stones was a regular member of Guardiola’s side this term, playing 41 matches in all competitions for the Spaniard, scoring two goals and helping his team secure 12 clean sheets.
He also played seven Champions League matches for City, who secured one clean sheet in Europe’s biggest club competition before they were knocked out by semi-finalists Monaco during the last-16 stage.
Ahead of the new season, Stones will be hoping to lift some silverware under Guardiola, who has won a number of trophies during his previous two managerial jobs at Bayern Munich and Barcelona.