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It was the person Pablo Zabaleta did not mention that should worry John Stones .

It was Zabaleta’s tribute to a Manchester City defence without the England ­centre-back that should worry John Stones.

Pep Guardiola’s golden boy is suddenly facing a fight for his place as one of the ­foundations of the Blues’ brave, new era.

Tellingly, Zabaleta – captain and unlikely goal-scorer in the ­desperately needed midweek triumph over Watford – hinted at a mood change among the City defenders.

A change effected with or without Pep’s input.

Zabaleta suggested the emphasis may now be shifting from the ball-playing, risk-taking style – as ­personified by Stones – to a more traditional, no-nonsense approach.

(Image: Reuters)

Talking about the Wednesday night, Zabaleta said: “We were very concentrated during the whole game, winning the long balls, being very ­aggressive at the back, winning all the duels. That is what you need as a defender. You need to be secure, solid, strong.”

And Zabaleta – one of the senior voices in the dressing-room after eight years in Manchester – dismissed the idealistic theory that you should try to play out from the back at all times.

He added: “There are situations where sometimes we need to play long balls and go for the second balls. In this league, you need this. It is so physical. You need to be strong as a defender and you must be so solid.

“We have the players with the ­aggression to cope with this. I thought that performance brought ­confidence back for defenders and, hopefully, we can continue doing the same things in the next few games.”

It is unlikely to have given confidence to Stones, who cut a sullen figure after being demoted to the bench.

The win brought only City’s third clean sheet of the Premier League season.

For the first one, against Bournemouth in September, Stones started on the bench, entering the fray early in the second half when the Blues were already 3-0 up.

He played for the whole of the second one at West Brom and for none against Watford.

Perhaps his demotion hints at a more pragmatic approach from Guardiola – even though he has repeatedly said he will not dilute his principles.

(Image: Reuters)

The Spaniard clearly rates Stones, sees him as one of his main projects and might have just been giving him a breather ahead of the showdown with Arsenal on Sunday.

It is hard to see, though, how he will get back into the starting line-up.

Even if Stones does quickly re-establish himself, Guardiola will still look for defensive ­reinforcements – particularly as Zabaleta turns 32 next month and is out of contract in the summer.

And the Argentina international’s future will not be sorted until then.

Zabaleta, signed from Espanyol for £6million in 2008, said: “We finish at the end of the season. I don’t want to talk about this because I just want to see how it goes in the season with a new manager.

(Image: Getty)

“I had an operation on my ankle in the summer to try to be 100 per cent in the season to be part of this squad, so I’m happy and feeling good.

“I’m enjoying it, but maybe now, after half of the season, it’s better to keep working hard and try to give my best for the team.”

How often that is alongside Stones remains to be seen.