John Stones has been handed familiar Man City opportunity

It was just shy of a year ago when John Stones' redemption was put in motion and it all began with a terrible day for Aymeric Laporte.

The Spanish international felt the brunt of the blame for a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham as Manchester City got their campaign off to a spluttering start and the defender would appear just three times in the next fourteen league matches.

That's because when Laporte was dropped for his bad form, in came Stones who grasped the opportunity, the lifeline for his City career, with both hands and didn't let go for the rest of the season.

The centre-back had been struggling with injuries, confidence and form for a couple of seasons which meant his future at the Etihad looked in serious jeopardy during the summer transfer window of 2020.