Ex-England defender Sol Campbell offers to assist Manchester City's John Stones
ByPA Sport
Published 21/01/2017 at 06:26 GMT
Sol Campbell believes he could turn around John Stones' fortunes at Manchester City if he was given the opportunity to work with the England defender.
Manchester City's John Stones, left, endured a nightmare return to Goodison Park last weekend
Image credit: PA Sport
Stones has endured a difficult start to life at the Etihad Stadium since his £47.5million arrival from Everton, putting in an error-strewn display in a 4-0 defeat at his former club last weekend.
But Campbell, whose former side Tottenham are next up for Stones and City, believes he could oversee an improvement in the 22-year-old's form.
Former Arsenal and Portsmouth centre-back Campbell, who collected 73 England caps, told the Daily Mail: "Let me get up to Manchester City and help Stones out, turn it around for him.
"I could probably turn around Stones in a couple of months.
"He's made mistakes because he's doing too much. It's all about recognising that. If that's the way I get in to start off, that's what I want to do. I'd love to do that."
City boss Pep Guardiola has been denied the chance to partner Stones with club captain Vincent Kompany for most of the season as injuries have restricted the Belgian to just three Premier League appearances.
And Campbell believes the 30-year-old can play a big part in Stones' development.
"Vincent Kompany would be a big thing for him," he added. "Stones can learn from him. That's how you learn, with the manager and with good players around you.
"If you're clever as a young player you listen and you watch other top players in your position. You ask questions, you see how they deal with scenarios.
"As a top player, you have to do that as well, play your game but coach others around you.
"Stones needs teaching. Okay he cost £50million but that's not his fault - he needs someone to go through motions and scenarios and battles with him. Go through easy games and make sure you're still on it.
'Sometimes you think it's an easy game and that's when you're most vulnerable. As a defender you've got to always be alert ... you've got to be expecting the unexpected and I don't think he's doing it now."
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