The return of the confident, ball-playing and intelligent central defender last season was an unexpected but crucial bonus for Pep Guardiola and City. “It’s a huge plus for us,” the England manager said when ending Stones’ international exile in March. Stones started 16 Premier League games for City as their hopes of a third successive Premier League title were shattered by Liverpool in 2019-20. Stones’ future at City, where he had one year remaining on his contract, looked bleak. John Stones (far left) celebrates another Carabao Cup win with his Manchester City and England teammates (left to right) Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and Raheem Sterling.

Source: The Guardian June 06, 2021 22:52 UTC