John Stones
INT
Signs with Inter Milan
Stones has signed with Inter Milan out of free agency, according to his new club.
Analysis: Stones has found his new landing spot after his exit from Manchester City following a historic run, signing with Serie A Champions, Inter Milan. He will be putting on a different club kit for the first time in 10 years after 295 appearances with City, mainly serving as a central defender but used in a holding midfield role during their historic treble run. With numerous trophies under his belt, Stones joins as an experienced defender to a backline that will push for glory in UCL play. He will have plenty of competition in the loaded defense, but will see plenty of rotation between the back-three, joining up with ex-teammates Manuel Akanji again, along with Yann Aurel Bisseck and Alessandro Bastoni.
Trains, talks to media
Stones (concussion) was back in training Friday and seems to fit after he spoke to the media, according to Dom Smith of The Standard.
Analysis: Stones appears to be fit for the third-place match, as the defender was back in training and then spoke to reporters ahead of the match. This will give the team another option at the back, as he has started in their past two games. However, they may give the squad some rotation heading into the contest, with Marc Guehi, Ezri Kona and Dan Burn as other options.
Brought off injured
Stones was brought off with a head injury during the second half of Wednesday's semi final against Argentina.
Analysis: Stones collided with Jordan Pickford and had to be treated for a head injury. A few minutes after the injury Argentina took the lead and Stones was helped off, both due to the injury and for an attacking option as England look to get back in the game. Stones will be a doubt for the World Cup final or third-place decider at the weekend.
Makes eight clearances in win
Stones recorded eight clearances, one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 win over Norway.
Analysis: Stones returned to the initial lineup after a run of four games on the bench, as coach Thomas Tuchel opted to deploy Ezri Konsa at right-back, opening up a space in the middle of the defense. The 32-year-old stood out for his defensive play, cutting several opposing attacks inside his own box. He's not guaranteed to retain the starting job in future rounds and may be unreliable for clean sheets even if he appears, with his value coming almost exclusively from clearance numbers.
Makes crucial clearance in 3-2 win
Stones recorded five clearances in Sunday's 3-2 victory versus Mexico.
Analysis: Stones came on for Bukayo Saka after Jarrel Qunsah received a red card for a dangerous tackle. This was Stones' first substantial appearance since he started the opener against Croatia. With the game at 3-2, he was able to turn a late Mexico chance past the post, although for a short time it did look ready for the bottom corner.
Starts opener
Stones recorded a tackle and one clearance in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Croatia.
Analysis: Stones would be given the start at center-back Wednesday after some questions of who would be in the defense, topping Marc Guehi, Dan Burn and Jarell Quansah for the spot. His shift left a little more to be asked for, especially after conceding twice. Moving forward, the big question will be whether he remains in this spot, as Guehi will likely be eyeing a starting role.
Set for Summer exit
Stones is expected to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, according to Sky Sports.
Analysis: Stones looks to be ending his illustrious career with Manchester City at the end of the 2025/26 season, serving a great 10 years with the club. Following a controversial transfer to the club in 2016 due to the hefty price tag for the era, he came through as a critical player in many great seasons, most importantly playing a major role in the treble season with his unusual spot in the holding midfield. He had established himself in the defensive rotation for almost every season with the club, not falling off until the past two seasons, where he has only earned 18 league appearances. If the club's long-time defender does leave, he ends his time playing in 292 matches while bagging 19 goals and nine assists. He would fill up his trophy cabinet as well, earning a UCL title, six Premier League titles, five Carabao Cup trophies and two FA Cups, potentially earning a third to end the season.
Unused from bench
Stones (calf) was unused from the bench in Sunday's 2-1 win over Arsenal.
Analysis: Stones was back in the matchday squad Sunday but will have to wait for his actual return, as he went unused in the highly important match, where he was likely to see minimal time in either way. After multiple spells with injury, he will hope to just end the season fit, only appearing in seven league games all season. However, he has only started in four of those games, likely to see time but in more of a rotational role.
Could resume partial training
Stones (calf) could take part in partial training Friday as he continues his recovery, according to coach Pep Guardiola. "Today, maybe he will do partial training. We'll see."
Analysis: Stones has been sidelined since leaving the England camp early with a calf issue, and while the prospect of partial training is a step in the right direction, a return to competitive action is still likely a few weeks away for him. City are already managing without Ruben Dias (hamstring) and Josko Gvardiol (fracture) at the back, making Stones' prolonged absence a genuine concern for coach Guardiola heading into the final stretch of the season. Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov have been covering in central defense in the meantime, with no timeline yet confirmed for when Stones might be ready to feature again.
Out to face Liverpool
Stones (calf) is ruled out for Saturday's FA Cup clash against Liverpool.
Analysis: Stones was unable to get back in time after leaving the England camp early with a calf issue, with England manager Thomas Tuchel raising the red flag earlier in the week. City will now lean on Marc Guehi, who is eligible to play in the FA Cup despite his January move from Crystal Palace, to step in and plug the hole at center-back. It's a tough break for a team trying to make a late title push, though Stones' absence doesn't shake up the starting XI too much since he had mostly been working in a rotational role this season.
Uncertain for FA Cup
Stones (calf) is uncertain to be available for the FA Cup clash against Liverpool on Saturday, according to Tashan Deniran-Alleyne of The Standard.
Analysis: "It's not ideal for John and not ideal for us, of course," said England manager Thomas Tuchel at a news conference earlier in the week when speaking about Stones' calf problem. The center-back could be held out of this Liverpool match if he's not 100 percent healthy, especially since Marc Guehi is available to feature in FA Cup matches despite his January move from Crystal Palace.
Departs international duty
Stones has departed international duty with the Three Lions due to an issue and is set for assessment, according to his national team.
Analysis: Stones had been known to be dealing with a calf issue and had left the England national team after their first friendly, returning to Manchester for assessment. This is likely cautionary as City pushes to make a late run at the league title, not wanting to risk further injury. In most outlooks, the defender is likely to train again this week and join City ahead of their FA Cup tie against Liverpool.
Doubtful with calf discomfort
Stones is questionable for England's friendly against Uruguay while he deals with a calf injury, Ian Dennis of BBC Sport reports.
Analysis: Stones has barely played in 2026 after struggling to recover from muscle problems, with his only appearances coming in FA Cup action on Feb. 14 and March 7, respectively. The defender might be sidelined over the international break, but the full extent of his injury remains unknown. In any case, all of Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias (hamstring) and Abdukodir Khusanov are currently expected to stay ahead of Stones among City's center-back options.
Starts in FA Cup
Stones started and played 65 minutes in Saturday's 2-0 win over Salford City.
Analysis: Stones returned to the starting XI for the first time since Nov. 25 on Saturday, featuring for just over an hour in the game. He would record a clean sheet in his time on the field, notching a tackle won, two interceptions and six clearances. After the longer absence due to his thigh injury, the defender's role at the club has taken a hit, as the addition of Marc Guehi will limit him even more, especially since Abdukodir Khusanov has started to break into the squad.
Selected for bench
Stones (thigh) is on the bench for Wednesday's match against Fulham.
Analysis: Stones was a late call for Wednesday and is with the club after a thigh injury, featuring from the bench. This ends a two-month-long absence as the club recovers another option in the defense. However, after the addition of Marc Guehi, the defender's role is likely to take a bit of a hit.
Could be available Wednesday
Stones (thigh) could be an option for Wednesday's clash against Fulham, head coach Pep Guardiola confirmed in his press conference. "John [Stones] is back on his feet."
Analysis: Stones returned to full team training last week and has responded well, putting him in the mix for Wednesday's matchup against Fulham. The versatile defender seems back on his feet and could rejoin the matchday squad in the coming games. That said, given his role prior to the injury and the added competition across both the backline and midfield, his minutes could be limited moving forward.
Back in team training
Stones (thigh) was back in team training for the first time on Thursday, coach Pep Guardiola said in the press conference. "John [Stones] had his first training session back with the team yesterday. Step by step he is coming back."
Analysis: Stones is trending in the right direction in the final phase of his recovery from a thigh injury after returning to full team training for the first time on Thursday, putting him close to a return to the match squad. That comeback is expected before the end of the month, though it is unlikely to come with an immediate spot in the starting XI, as he is set to work back in through a rotational role once fully fit.
Still hopeful to return soon
Stones (thigh) is still hopeful to return soon, according to manager Pep Guardiola.
Analysis: Stones remains without a quality update having not featured since Dec. 2 because of a muscle injury. Given the recent happenings that include returning Max Alleyne from loan and possibly transferring in Marc Guehi, the outlook doesn't look great for Stones. Even when he returns, he's failed to remain consistently healthy the last few seasons.
No timeline to return
Stones (thigh) has no timeline to return, coach Pep Guardiola said in the press conference, according to City Xtra. "No idea [when he will return]. He's not ready for the next games."
Analysis: Stones missed all the games since early December due to a thigh injury and still has no timeline to return. The versatile defender will likely spend some more weeks on the sidelines, but his absence will not impact the starting XI since he has mainly been a rotational player when fit this season.
Ruled out Saturday
Stones (thigh) will not make the trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, according to manager Pep Guardiola.
Analysis: Stones will remain sidelined, missing his fourth consecutive league match due to a thigh injury. He was not expected to be ready for the Nottingham game and is aiming for a return in the new year against Sunderland. Given his ongoing fitness issues this season, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol will likely continue as Manchester City's starting center-back pairing for the time being.
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