Pep Guardiola casts doubt on Stones’ future at Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has cast doubt over John Stones’ future at Manchester City with his comments at a press conference on Tuesday

Stones has fallen down the central defensive pecking order at City and is now behind Aymeric Laporte, Fernandinho, Nicolas Otamendi and Eric Garcia.

Stones, who joined in summer 2016, has endured a difficult campaign because of injury and loss of form and Guardiola said the 26-year-old’s confidence had been affected. Since football’s resumption Stones has yet to feature, though he was injured when City began again in mid-June.


Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola said: “I’ve said many times, and continue saying, I’m more than delighted with John Stones as a person, as a professional, everything.


“What I want is the best for him and at the end of the season we are going to speak about what is going to happen, because sometimes my wish is not the wish of the players, or the wish for the situation of the club.



“I am honest with them and the moment I will feel – not with John but any player – if we have to change we are going to tell them.”


Guardiola admits it is important for Stones to stay fit now and try to build a run of games.


He said: “Of course, what we want is, for his future and for ours, for him to come back and play and to be able to train during two, three or four months with no injuries. John has struggled with his injuries.


“But the quality of John is there – never doubt it for one second. It’s just when you don’t play, are injured again, you are rotated and injured again – players are good when they play in a routine, they are confident. You need minutes, playing being fit.


“He must play for himself and focus on what he has to do. Him and anyone will not be judged for bad actions or bad moments.”