Manager says defender’s contract talks will hinge on availability after injury-hit spell
Pep Guardiola has admitted that John Stones may only remain a Manchester City player if he can stay fit, as the England international enters the final months of his contract at the club.
The 31-year-old joined City from Everton in 2016 and played his best football in their treble-winning campaign of 2022-23, but he has endured a difficult spell with injuries over the past two seasons.
Last year, recurring hamstring problems meant that he made only 11 Premier League appearances. He said he was so frustrated he even contemplated retirement.
The defender also pulled out of the England squad in September due to fitness issues, even though he is greatly valued by manager Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel said at the time: “I’m a big fan of John, his personality and his quality. He could be an important figure, of course, but he needs to be available.
“He wants to be available and he’s a top professional, so he is the most upset in all this because he does really everything to be fit and struggles then with these minor issues from time to time that cost him game time.”
Stones is back in training and aiming to feature regularly for City, but the hierarchy may not wish to extend his stay if he cannot be available. Club legend Kevin de Bruyne was denied a contract extension last season primarily because of concerns about his fitness.
“The club will decide what is best for John,” said Guardiola. “We will see how he performs.
“When John is fit, he is part of the group, the starting XI. The year of the treble [he] was unbelievable but since then he has not had the consistency in [number of] games.
“He’s been injured many times so that is why we have to wait and see.”
