Manchester City defender John Stones says there are "some big shoes to fill" at the club following the departure of Vincent Kompany - who had been with the Premier League champions for 11 years.
Earlier this month, the Blues' boss Pep Guardiola had said he wasn't sure if they would sign a replacement for the former captain, who had taken over as player-manager at Belgian club Anderlecht. Guardiola had said, "there is a chance but I don't know if it will be possible".
Twenty-five-year-old Stones who joined City from Everton in 2016 has said, "Vinnie set a benchmark at the club which I don't think can be done again."
"He's such a good person and for anyone who becomes captain, if they do half the job he did then they will be able to call themselves successful. He was such a key player for us and will be missed by everyone, especially me personally.
"But it's a great challenge for me and us all to step up and grab the bull by the horns and run with it now."
John Stones had lost his place in the Manchester City starting XI at the start of 2019, before making an error in the semi-final of the Nations League against the Netherlands, which culminated in the Dutch taking on Portugal in the showpiece.
"It was a difficult last two months of the season and the England game was a difficult night for me personally. I let a lot of people down - the manager, players, and nation and put my hands up and it's something I have to live with," said Stones.
"But I'll come back fighting stronger and I'm not one to give up easily on something. I love the club and everyone here and want to be the best player I can and striving to be where I want to be.
"If I keep working hard every day to improve like I am then I will hopefully get there."
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