EPL snapshots: Stones hails Guardiola's impact after return to form for Manchester City

Manchester City defender John Stones has praised manager Pep Guardiola for making him a "better player and person" during their first year together at the Etihad Stadium.

Stones struggled to deliver under weight of expectations when he joined City from Everton last season, then as the world's second most expensive defender behind Chelsea's David Luiz.
However, Guardiola's constant support and work behind the scenes with the 23-year-old is finally paying dividends as Stones helped City claim six clean sheets over the last seven games in all competitions.

"He's (Guardiola) always positive and wanting me to do better and that's what I try to repay him on the pitch," Stones told reporters.

"The games this season speak for themselves: clean sheets both in the Champions League and Premier League. I feel like I'm developing as a player and a person under him.

"That's all down to the players around me, him and the staff that are there. All I want to do is keep this run going and see where it takes us."

Premier League leaders City have scored 22 goals and conceded just twice in their opening seven league games as players appear to be responding to the demands of the Spanish coach's attacking philosophy.

Leicester dealt transfer blow as FIFA rejects Silva appeal

Leicester City's attempts to sign Adrien Silva from Sporting Lisbon were dealt a blow on Wednesday, with FIFA saying it had rejected an FA petition to grant the midfielder an international transfer certificate.

Leicester bought the 28-year-old just before the transfer window closed on Aug. 31, but FIFA, who handle international transfers, received the paperwork moments after the deadline for registration ended.

FIFA refused to sanction Silva's transfer, prompting the English FA to write to the world governing body in early September, but that appeal has now been rejected.

"The petition made by The Football Association for permission to request the International Transfer Certificate for the player Adrien Silva and subsequently register the player for its affiliated club, Leicester City FC, is rejected," FIFA said in a statement.

Leicester will now only be able to sign the player when the transfer window reopens in January, unless they take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A Leicester spokesman declined to immediately comment on the matter.