Manchester City Defender Jone stones has announced this morning that he will be Leaving Ethihad Stadium to join this shocking Premier League Club this summer due to lack of playing time

A year ago, if you were to have a conversation with a die-hard Manchester City fan, suggesting that John Stones would be fit and available for a crucial stretch of games pivotal for clinching the Premier League title, they’d likely have assumed that Pep Guardiola, the team’s manager, would have unquestionably slotted him into the starting lineup.

It’s quite remarkable to fathom that Stones, considering his instrumental role in controlling the midfield during the Champions League final just eleven months ago, wouldn’t be an automatic selection for matches throughout the current season. However, a series of fitness setbacks and injuries have plagued his campaign, restricting him to a mere 27 appearances this year.

Since the memorable clash against Real Madrid, he hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes on the pitch, and he’s only been included in the starting lineup once in the past seven matches. Meanwhile, Josko Gvardiol has been making waves at left-back, while Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake have solidified their positions in the team in Stones’ absence. Stones has only managed to play a mere 76 minutes out of the 660 available in recent games, whereas Akanji has started in 18 out of the previous 20 matches.

Despite Ruben Dias returning to the starting lineup against Fulham, and Kyle Walker stepping in for the injured Ake, Guardiola admitted that Walker hadn’t had much practice leading up to the game. Nevertheless, this substitution allowed Akanji to be shifted from right-back, where he was encountering difficulties.

So, why has Stones suddenly found himself relegated to the fifth or sixth spot in the pecking order? Guardiola clarified that Stones is completely fit and free from injury, as emphasized during the match at Craven Cottage.

Guardiola remarked, “He’s absolutely terrific [in terms of fitness].” He further elaborated that at times, other players step up their game, citing Nathan’s remarkable performance and Manu’s current outstanding form. Guardiola emphasized the importance of consistent top-notch performances, indicating that while Stones played frequently in the previous season, this season demands a higher level of consistent excellence from all squad members.

Challenging Stones to reclaim his place in the starting lineup for the remaining three games of the season, Guardiola likened the relationship between the two English center-backs to a familial connection.

“We have a history together. When I first arrived here, Gundogan was my inaugural signing,” Guardiola reminisced. “We may not be father and son, but we certainly know each other well. John needs to rise to the occasion because we require his contributions now and in the future.”

Guardiola also drew a parallel with Grealish, another player who had a stellar season previously but has recently fallen out of contention due to undisclosed reasons. Grealish missed the Fulham game due to injury, and Guardiola implied that other players have simply outperformed him. Even Ederson, the team’s reliable goalkeeper, had to work hard to reclaim his starting position after an injury setback.