Pep Guardiola has admitted that it may take time for Manchester City to play the way he wants but has demanded they will play with “soul” from day one as they kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Sunderland on Saturday.

The new City manager indicated that £47million signing John Stones is fit enough to go straight into his team against Sunderland – although another new signing Leroy Sane remains injured – and hailed the importance of the England defender.

“I think it is important for us, an English player, a young player, a huge talent, with his ability to build up, with his intelligence to read the next step, the next pass, behind the line, I think he is a good, good, good player so we are happy to have him,” Guardiola said.