Chelsea register interest in John Stones as Xabi Alonso continues centre-back search | OneFootball

England international is a free agent after leaving Man City

The Blues are keen to sign one or two centre-backs this summer, and Standard Sport understands the 32-year-old England player is a player of interest and has now been added to their list of targets in the position.

Also among their central defensive targets is Como's Jacobo Ramon, while there are active talks between Chelsea and Crystal Palace over the Blues' pursuit of France centre-back Maxence Lacroix, led by the Eagles' chairman and co-owner Steve Parish.

Stones has recently been added to the shortlist after he became a free agent on July 1 upon the expiry of his contract with long-time employers Manchester City.

There are believed to be other clubs interested in the England international, who played a significant role for his country over the past six weeks as they finished third at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, registering their best finish at a World Cup since 1966.

The former Everton defender played a bit-part role in his final season at the Etihad Stadium last term, limited to 15 appearances due to a combination of persistent injuries and Pep Guardiola’s preference of Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi.

Guehi, who Stones partnered in the Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain, arrived in January from Palace for £35m, and his signing limited Stones’ game time further.

The pair started together three times at the heart of England’s defence at this summer’s tournament, with Thomas Tuchel opting to pair the City team-mates against Mexico, Norway and Argentina.