An experienced Manchester City defender wants to remain at the club but will he be given the opportunity? | OneFootball

There is no doubt about the importance of John Stones to the Manchester City squad when he is fully fit. When Stones is fit, he is one of Manchester City’s most important defenders. The skillset Stones possesses almost makes him the prototypical Pep Guardiola defender. The problem has been over the past two seasons for John Stones and Manchester City is that the England international cannot stay on the pitch. Injuries have held Stones back from making the impact he’d have liked for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Now, in a new interview, John Stones has spoken of his frustration with how the 24/25 season panned out for him. He has also spoken of his desire to remain at the Etihad for next season. The question seems to be: Will John Stones be allowed to be a member of Pep Guardiola’s squad for next season?

John Stones speaks of the toll that his injury troubles have taken on him.

In an interview with Rob Dawson for ESPN, John Stones explained the toll that the injuries he sustained last season took on him. The England international explained: “It’s difficult when you’re injured.”

“There’s been points where you think, you’ve been giving all this effort, you dedicate all your life, especially how I approach or go about my life, and football, I give everything, on and off the pitch to be here or be ready to play games and those are the dark days.”

John Stones said that Manchester City’s tough 24/25 season made the situation worse. He added: “I put a lot of pressure on myself. I find it very challenging mentally. I have had some very low points in the past season, and I just have to come back, and once you come over those things, you can’t really see the end of the tunnel when they keep happening.”

“It’s frustrating for the team, for myself, for the manager, that you’re not available to help them, and you’ve got to find another way to be around the team.”

John Stones wants to remain at Manchester City but will he be given that opportunity?

It was further revealed by John Stones that he wants to remain at Manchester City for next season. He explained: “I’m here, I want to stay here, I love it. I’m here to help the team, and I don’t know if what’s been said or speculated, but I hope that kind of shuts it down.”

John Stones has made his intentions clear. He wants to remain a Manchester City player for next season. When fully fit, there is no doubt about the quality of Stones as a player. He is one of the best centre-backs at Manchester City. The problem has been Stones’ constant injury issues. But looking ahead to next season is there a fit for Stones in Pep Guardiola’s squad? That’s not immediately clear as things stand.

It would seem that Vitor Reis is likely to remain at Manchester City for next season. There is seemingly no chance that any one of Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol or Abdukodir Khusanov will depart City this summer. That would leave Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake or John Stones as seemingly the prime candidates in City’s defence to leave the club this summer. But Stones is intent on remaining at the Etihad.

Players will have to leave the Etihad this summer. That’s the reality of the situation as Manchester City bid to trim their wage bill and squad size. As of right now, it’s almost impossible to gauge which members of Manchester City’s Club World Cup squad could leave the club during the summer.

Summary.

First and foremost, it is good news to see John Stones on the comeback trail. If Stones can stay fit he should have a prominent role to play at Manchester City. But the question appears to be will he be allowed that opportunity? He wants to remain a City player, but whether or not he does isn’t immediately clear and may not be known until the summer transfer window closes.