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Stones was on the bench for Manchester City’s 1-0 win against Burnley in midweek.
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City will face Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday night.
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Guardiola admits Stones’ physical problems have held him back during his Manchester City career
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has honestly reflected on John Stones’ struggles with injuries throughout his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Stones is expected to announce his departure from city of manchester in the coming days, as he nears the end of his contract amid his team’s quest for a domestic treble.
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The 31-year-old man was one of pep guardiolaThe Catalan’s most important signings in his first summer at the helm of Manchester City in 2016, after having shared every step of the journey through the northwest of England with his coach.
Doubts remain over whether the England coach Thomas Tuchel He will call up the Stones for the FIFA World Cup this summer after another injury-ravaged campaign for the Barnsley-born centre-half.
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Stones has struggled for fitness since December 2025 and his worrying availability prompted Etihad Stadium executives to intervene. Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace in January after Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol suffered injuries in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
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Gehi and Abdukodir Khusanov He has played in Manchester City’s central defense largely during his purple patch since March, with Dias recovering from a hamstring injury and Gvardiol also not fully fit yet. Nathan Ake is still available and starred in the Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal in March.
At a press conference prior to the Manchester City match FA Cup semi-final with Southampton At Wembley, Guardiola was asked if the Stones were in line to play the Blues on Saturday night. “It depends on the coach, that’s for sure,” says the 55-year-old.
Asked if Guardiola could give more clues about Stones’ selection prospects, the Manchester City manager added: “Yes, definitely, I’ll call you later,” in a characteristically sarcastic tone.
Pep: Stones’ injuries have limited him at Manchester City
Stones is Guardiola’s longest-serving player at the Etihad Stadium and the pair share a great relationship on and off the pitch, although the latter was honest in admitting that the former’s injury history has prevented him from fulfilling his full potential in Manchester.
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“Yes, 10 years together. I can’t always judge his performance because he’s been out a bit. That’s the only problem. I don’t have any doubts with John. Only when he can get back to his level will he be a top-level central defender,” Guardiola said of his disappointment with Stones’ fitness over the years.
“There’s no doubt. But yes, we said, all I want is for him to be fit. Unfortunately, like last season, he was out for a long time and it wouldn’t be possible. But we still have tomorrow (FA Cup semi-final), we have five, potentially six (games left to play this season) and he is a lovely, incredible team-mate. And yes, we’ll see. We’ll see what happens.”
With the captain of Manchester City Bernard Silva Upon leaving the club this summer, Stones will also follow his Portuguese friend out the door as there is no hope of the Blues offering the Englishman a contract renewal beyond June.
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When further asked why the Stones have struggled to get minutes since December 2025, Guardiola added: “He has been injured many times. Now he is back and now Khusa (Abdukodir Khusanov) and Marc (Guehi) are playing incredibly well.
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“Nathan (Ake) in the Carabao (Cup) final played exceptionally and since then he played five minutes. It couldn’t be more unfair to Nathan but they have to compete. Both central defenders are exceptional.
“Khusa is, what can I say, and Marc the same. He (Stones) has been injured and is going to return. The important thing is that in two or three weeks he is already training hard and well and that is the best news.”
Stones was on the bench during Manchester City’s 1-0 victory Burnley in midweek, as the Blues moved to the top of the Premier League, and the England international was expected to retain a place among the substitutes at Wembley.
Guardiola backs the Stones for England’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup
No one knows whether Tuchel will rely on Stones’ experience and knowledge and look beyond his worrying injury history when the German names his traveling squad for the FIFA World Cup.
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When asked if Tuchel still has the Stones for the World Cup, Guardiola added: “I hope so.” Regarding whether the Englishman can play consecutive games, the Manchester City coach stated: “Definitely. Definitely.”
The Stones will be desperate to get onto the Manchester City pitch between now and the end of the season as the Blues look to put together a perfect winning streak and claim a second domestic treble under Guardiola.