Football is cruel. Manchester City fans have been reminded of that cruelty once again, and this time the heartbreak has come in the form of John Stones. The England defender, who once stood tall as one of Pep Guardiola’s trusted lieutenants at the back, is once again staring down the dark tunnel of injury, and the fans, who once sang his name with pride, have now turned their anger and frustration into calls for his exit. In their eyes, John Stones is finished.
The story of Stones at Manchester City has always been one of brilliance tangled with fragility. Since he arrived from Everton in 2016, he has embodied Guardiola’s idea of a ball-playing defender, someone who could step into midfield, break lines with calm passes, and read the game like a seasoned conductor. At his best, Stones was unplayable. At his worst, he was unavailable. Injuries became the curse that never stopped haunting him, and in 2025, that curse has once again dragged him down.
Manchester City confirmed on September 5 that Stones had withdrawn from the England squad. The official line was a “precautionary measure,” but Thomas Tuchel revealed the truth: another muscle problem. For many fans, it wasn’t just another injury, it was the last straw.
The news hit hard because City had already been through a turbulent summer. Big names like Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gundogan, and Ederson all departed. A rebuild was underway, with fresh faces like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rayan Cherki, and James Trafford brought in. Guardiola had trusted Stones to be part of the new spine of his side, pairing him with Ruben Dias in all three of City’s opening matches of the season. But as soon as hope started to rise, it collapsed again. Stones was gone, leaving a hole and leaving fans furious.
Looking at his record, it is clear why patience has run out. In the 2024/25 season, Stones missed 32 games through injury. The season before, 10 games. Before that, 13 games. Consistency was always beyond his grasp. While Pep trusted his quality, fans have grown tired of the cycle—fit, injured, return, injured again.
On social media, the frustration poured like rain. “Time to move on from him. Great player but way too injury prone,” one fan wrote. Another was more brutal: “Please sell that clown called John Stones.” Some even went as far as to suggest retirement. “He is expensive to pay for a player that barely plays,” said another. The verdict from large sections of the City faithful was clear—thank you for the memories, but it’s time to go.
What makes the situation even more delicate is that City actually considered selling Stones this summer. Football Insider revealed that the club were open to his departure, but no move materialized. Manuel Akanji, instead, was the one sold to Inter Milan. That decision now looks risky, because if Stones is out for a long spell again, Guardiola will be left scrambling for options. Dias alone cannot carry the defensive line through a grueling season.
The problem is also financial. Stones is 30 years old, with only one year left on his contract. No extension talks have taken place. His value is falling, his body is failing, and his place in Guardiola’s masterplan is under serious threat. For a manager who thrives on control and perfection, relying on a defender who cannot stay fit is a gamble too big to take.
For fans, it feels like sentiment has blinded the club. “He should’ve been sold in the summer. Keeping him just because he’s ‘good when fit’ makes no sense when he’s rarely fit,” one angry supporter said. Others called it poor planning, a mistake that City should have corrected two seasons ago.
The heartbreak here is that Stones is loved. He is not a bad player, far from it. He is admired for his bravery, his calmness, and his ability to adapt. Guardiola has used him as a midfielder at times, trusting him to dictate play from deep. But admiration doesn’t heal muscle issues, and love doesn’t win titles when the player is sitting in the medical room. Football is ruthless, and the fans are beginning to accept that reality.
The calls for him to leave are not born from hatred, but from exhaustion. Supporters feel betrayed by hope. They have seen this story too many times before. The optimism of his return, the excitement when he plays three games in a row, only for it all to end with another withdrawal, another announcement, another sigh. They are tired of believing, tired of waiting.
For Guardiola, this is a nightmare he did not want to face. The rebuild this summer was meant to set City up for another dynasty. Donnarumma was signed to guard the posts, Cherki to bring flair, Doku to bring speed. Stones was supposed to be part of that backbone. Instead, he has become a liability. If Pep cannot trust his availability, he cannot trust him with the future.
And yet, there is still a sadness in all this. Stones has given City unforgettable moments. He was there in the treble-winning campaign, fighting, blocking, clearing, passing. He played in Champions League finals, Premier League deciders, and FA Cup battles. His journey from a criticized youngster to one of Europe’s finest defenders was inspiring. To see him now, written off as “finished,” is cruel. But that is football. Yesterday’s hero becomes today’s problem.
The wider picture for City is worrying. With Akanji gone, Dias overworked, and Stones unreliable, Guardiola may have to rely heavily on Nathan Ake or even Abdukodir Khusanov. But can they carry the weight of a season filled with battles in the league, Champions League, and cups? Without stability at the back, the entire system could shake. And Guardiola knows it. That is why Stones’ latest setback is more than just an injury—it is a threat to the structure.
As the dust settles, the debate will rage. Should City cut ties now and sell him in January? Should they let him run down his contract and leave for free? Should they gamble on his recovery one more time? Each option has risks. Selling him could weaken the squad further. Keeping him could mean more wasted wages on a player who barely plays. Letting him leave for free would bring no return on investment. It is a decision that Pep and Khaldoon Al Mubarak must face sooner rather than later.
For Stones, the reality is brutal. He doesn’t want to be seen as finished. He doesn’t want his legacy tarnished by injuries. He will fight, he will rehab, he will push to come back. But will the fans wait for him again? That patience seems gone. They have already written their verdict. In their eyes, he is finished.
And so, the chapter is closing. Slowly, painfully, but surely. John Stones, the elegant defender who once symbolized Guardiola’s revolution, may now be living his final days in Manchester. Not because of a lack of talent, but because his body has betrayed him too many times. Football moves fast, and City, with their ambitions, cannot afford to slow down for him.
The Etihad faithful will remember him, but they will not forgive the frustration. In the end, that is the cruelest truth: even the most loved players can outstay their welcome when the injuries never stop.
John Stones is finished—at least in the eyes of the fans
