Pep Guardiola explains why Josko Gvardiol cannot play John Stones role at Man City

Pep Guardiola said that Josko Gvardiol is yet to show he can play centrally for Manchester City as the defender adjusts to life at the Premier League champions.

Gvardiol, 21, was signed from RB Leipzig for £78m in summer to make him one of the most expensive defenders in the game, and has quickly impressed. The Croatian has made an instant impression with teammates and coaches, winning a place in the side that has included starts at Old Trafford and the Emirates.

However, most of his appearances have come on the left side of defence acting as a left back with other players preferred in the middle. While the club are delighted with the prospect of what Gvardiol can offer to the team in the long-term, the player hasn't yet shown the specific characteristics in training that could put him in the frame to take on the role of John Stones while the England man is injured.

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"Still he didn't prove it in training sessions and some drills that we do to see how you move in more central positions," said Guardiola "Still I didn't see it.

"Maybe in the future, because he is 21 years old and at the beginning we didn't expect John could do that. The fact he can do that because he has been here eight years and many examples of training and concepts is there. Josko has just been with us for a few months so we need more time."