Although John Stones has been a loyal servant for Man City across his near-decade with the club, injuries have long been a hindrance for him, and his ongoing issues may ultimately decide his future at the Etihad Stadium. Despite returning to fitness having even considered retirement last term, Stones had been a bit-part player in 2025-26 before suffering a setback in the form of a thigh problem in early December.
“The club will decide what is best for John, we will see how he performs,” City boss Pep Guardiola said in October. “When John is fit, he is part of the group, the starting XI and the year of the treble (he) was unbelievable, but since then he has not had the consistency in (number of) games. He’s been injured many times so that is why we have to wait and see.”
There has been no talk of an extension, and this ill-timed injury will do Stones no favours in negotiations.
