Vincent Kompany is convinced that his Manchester City team-mate John Stones "has everything" he needs to become one of the best centre-backs around.
Stones arrived at City from Everton at the start of the season for a reported £47.5 million, but has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot.
Consistency has been an issue for the England international and he ended up only playing 23 Premier League matches from the start in Pep Guardiola's first season in charge.
Kompany, however, is adamant that there is much more to come from the former Barnsley youngster.
"He will thrive once the team gets going again," Kompany is quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News. "He has everything the manager likes – that ability to play from the back.
"But he also recognises how important it is for him to win his challenges, win his physical battles, and he has improved a lot in that.
"I just reckon it's always hard to put the emphasis on a young defender, because I know how technical this job is.
"Communication is the biggest part of defending. People underestimate it constantly, but I think you can be 40 per cent better just by communicating.
"I suppose he will get the grasp of that over the years, and it will make him a leader as well.
"It's about finding a balance – Stonesy has everything to achieve all these things but you shouldn't underestimate how difficult it is for any defender to come in and do both sides of the job, in the Premier League particularly.
"Anyone who shows signs of good performances as a centre back in that position will have to be pretty special, and that is what the club is after."
