John Stones handed Manchester City contract caution amid England resurgence | OneFootball

Manchester City will need to “wait and see” before deciding whether it is best to offer John Stones a new contract ahead of the existing deal’s expiry at the end of the season.

The England international’s future at the Etihad Stadium has become a talking point in recent months, with uncertainty growing over the club’s next steps regarding his long-term situation as his contract runs until the end of the ongoing season.

Stones has only recently returned to consistent match action following a prolonged spell of injuries, and while he remains a trusted figure under Pep Guardiola, his durability is now under careful assessment by Manchester City hierarchy.

The 31-year-old’s situation mirrors those of several senior Manchester City figures approaching the twilight of their respective contracts, as the Etihad Stadium’s hierarchy continues its phased squad evolution.

Stones’ recent recall to the England national team under Thomas Tuchel has further elevated his profile, signalling a potential return to form that could strengthen his case for an extension. His versatility and intelligence remain invaluable to Guardiola’s tactical system, particularly evident during City’s Treble-winning season.

Speaking during a recent press conference, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on whether John Stones’ injury problems of recent seasons are now firmly behind him off the back of his successive appearances for club and country, to which he said, “I hope so. I hope so.

“I’m happy that he’s back there [playing for England] and the confidence from Thomas [Tuchel] to him and John, there’s no doubts about his potential and his quality. I’m happy that he’s back to play with his country.”

But with the City defender’s contract expiring at the end of the campaign, Guardiola said, “Don’t ask me about that. The club will decide what is the best for John and see how he’ll perform.

“When John is fit and he’s been part of the starting eleven or part of the group, the year of the Treble he was unbelievable, but since then he has not been this consistency in games.

“He’s been injured many, many times so that’s why we have to wait and see,” Guardiola added on the subject of a possible extension to the Englishman’s contractual terms at the Etihad Stadium.

As things stand, Manchester City appear poised to assess John Stones’ performances and ability to remain consistently available for selection over the coming months before opening formal discussions.

His future could depend heavily on whether he can sustain a consistent run in Pep Guardiola’s side – both domestically and in Europe – without further setbacks. Should he prove his reliability, a new deal may well follow before the season’s end.

However, if injuries re-emerge on a consistent basis, then Manchester City could face a difficult decision come summer 2026; either risk losing a senior leader for free, or move decisively to reshape their defensive core.