Pep Guardiola recalls special London trip to sign John Stones for Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reminisced about travelling to London to meet John Stones before signing the defender from Everton in 2016.

Guardiola is set to bid farewell to his longest-serving player at the Etihad Stadium in June after Stones confirmed earlier this week that he will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old is approaching the end of an illustrious, trophy-laden decade working with Guardiola during the most successful period in Manchester City history, winning six Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League title among a plethora of silverware.

However, the England international seems past his prime and having struggled for fitness and minutes in the last two campaigns, Stones will bid an emotional farewell to the Blues this summer.

Guardiola: Stones’ contribution has been massive

Previewing Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League fixture with Stones’ former club Everton, Guardiola paid a lovely tribute to one of his first signings in England’s north-west.

“One of the first signings – I remember perfectly travelling to London to meet him in my brother’s house and he was young, you saw his face in that moment,” Guardiola said on Friday afternoon.

“There are few players that you cannot understand what has happened in this period together (without them). He’s one of them. He was the best player by far in the UEFA Champions League final (against Inter Milan in 2023) in Istanbul – that means a huge personality.

“Now he feels fit, hopefully he can fight physically, the rhythm to be ready, and like Bernardo (Silva) a part of ourselves and not just me is leaving.

“His contribution has been massive, an incredible person on and off the pitch, also as a football player. Really pleased. I’m so grateful to live these years with a person like John.”

Will John Stones play for Man City again this season?

Stones played 90 minutes in Manchester City’s 2-1 comeback FA Cup semi-final win over Southampton at Wembley last week, having recently returned to full fitness.

The Barnsley-born defender is unlikely to start ahead of Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov against Everton on Monday night but with Manchester City playing six times in 20 days of May, it is difficult to envision a scenario wherein Stones doesn’t get on the pitch altogether.

Having impressed in defence against Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final, Stones will be desperate for a start in the FA Cup final against Chelsea as Manchester City pursue a domestic treble to give a fitting send-off to the Englishman as well as departing club captain Silva.