An England player is without a club at the World Cup. John Stones, the 32-year-old centre-back, reached the end of his Manchester City contract during the tournament and is now a free agent, hoping to feature in the Three Lions’ round of 16 tie against Mexico.
Stones spent a decade at City after a big-money move from Everton, arriving in the same summer as manager Pep Guardiola. He won 15 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League. But after returning from injury last season, he found himself down the pecking order. With Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov forming a reliable partnership, and Nathan Ake being selected ahead of him for the Carabao Cup final victory, Stones announced in April that he would be leaving.
“John Stones is without a club at the World Cup after his Manchester City contract expired.”
“They say all good things must come to an end… but this thing we have had has been the greatest and it will remain a part of me forever,” Stones wrote on Instagram. Guardiola had earlier commented on the defender’s fitness issues: “I don’t have doubts with John. When he reaches his level, he is a top central defender. Unfortunately, I only want him fit and unfortunately, like last season, a lot of the time it is not possible.”
Despite starting just five league games – including an emotional farewell on the final day – Stones was named in England’s World Cup squad. Thomas Tuchel picked the experienced defender ahead of his club teammate Guehi for the opening victory over Croatia. Stones has since dropped out of the team but is pushing to start against Mexico.
The defender did not resolve his club future before heading to the World Cup. The start of July saw him and three other players officially leave City at the end of their contracts. BBC Sport reports that his old club Everton and AC Milan have been linked with signing him as a free agent. Ahead of the World Cup, Stones expressed his desire to prove Guardiola wrong after his lack of playing time. It remains to be seen where the next chapter of his career will take him.