A homecoming potentially looms for a Manchester City centre-back who has been pivotal to City’s success | OneFootball

One player whose future appears to be uncertain at Manchester City is John Stones. Stones had another injury-plagued season. During Manchester City’s 24/25 campaign, he only played 20 games in all competitions. Given that Pep Guardiola has previously spoken of the need for his squad to have reliable players. So based on that statement from Guardiola, the future of John Stones as a Manchester City player does seem to be in doubt. A new report indicates that Everton could be interested in signing Stones this summer. That may be the best move for Stones given Manchester City’s need to have reliable players for next season.

Everton could move to sign John Stones this summer.

Phil Thomas has reported for the Mirror that John Stones could return to Everton this summer. Thomas further reports that Manchester City do have an interest in signing Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite. As per Thomas’ report, City hopes that an Everton move for Stones could set them up for a summer move for Branthwaite. Manchester City do have a long-standing interest in signing Branthwaite, as per Thomas’ report.

Phil Thomas further reports that Pep Guardiola could let John Stones leave on the cheap if he does desire a move back to Everton. That move could help Manchester City clear John Stones’ reported £250,000 per week wages off their books as per the Phil Thomas report.

Leaving Manchester City may be the best move for John Stones and City.

It may be for the best that John Stones leaves Manchester City this summer. Looking at his injury record over the past two seasons the centre-back does struggle to get on the pitch. As good as Stones can be when he’s on the pitch it just isn’t a regular occurrence. Stones can’t be relied upon to be a consistent performer for Pep Guardiola’s side. His body breaks down too often and that is a problem based on Guardiola’s comments from earlier this season.

If John Stones were to leave the Etihad this summer he would leave after making a key contribution to Manchester City’s success. When fit the classy centre-back was a key player for Pep Guardiola and his team. His centre-back pairing with Ruben Dias was a crucial factor in Manchester City’s era of dominance. The role Stones played during Manchester City’s treble winning campaign in 22/23 was crucial to that famous triumph. His role of playing centre-back and drifting into midfield was key to City’s treble winning campaign. It was a role made for John Stones and one he seems to have been the only player capable of fulfilling. Perhaps that is the finest compliment to Stones as a City player. He made a difficult role appear easy when the stakes were at their highest.

It remains to be seen if John Stones does return to Everton this summer. Perhaps going ‘home’ is the best move for the injury-plagued centre-back. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Stones depart Manchester City this summer and returning to Everton may be the best move for him.