Manchester City's John Stones glad he did not join Chelsea last summer

England defender John Stones has expressed his delight after he failed to join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in the last summer transfer window. The centre-back left Everton and completed a switch to Manchester City on a £47.5m ($62.3m) earlier in August.

The 22-year-old was wanted by Mourinho when he was in charge at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese tactician was an admirer of the defender and the Blues made multiple efforts in securing his signature.

However, the Merseyside club rejected Chelsea's advances and Stones continued at Goodison Park last season. Mourinho, on the other hand was sacked from his post at the west London club and joined Manchester United earlier this summer.

Stones is coached by Pep Guardiola at the Etihad. The former Everton star is delighted to be working with the best manager at City and admitted his desire to win silverware motivated him to join the Citizens.

"I suppose what happened turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I stated last year what I wanted to do. It didn't happen and so I just got on with it, kept going, set out to win games and improve as a player," Stones told the Daily Mail.

"For me personally, I am now working with the best manager in the world. I'm over the moon to be at City and learning from a manager like Pep Guardiola."

"I came here because I want to be a winner. I'm like every other player – I just want to win some silverware,' Stones added on his City ambitions.

"It is difficult when there is a lot of speculation and a lot of things happening in your personal life. It didn't unsettle me, you cannot afford to waste any time as a player.

"When the game goes you cannot get it back, so it was a great learning curve for me last year and I feel I have come out of it stronger and a better person and player. Hindsight is a great thing, but it has all worked out perfectly for me in the end."

City have started the season on a brighter note with three wins after three matches. Guardiola will take his men to Old Trafford after the international break as they play Mourinho's United for the Manchester derby on 10 September.