The Athletic journalist Sam Lee has issued an update on John Stones after the England defender was once again left out of Manchester City’s squad for their fixture against Burnley on Monday night.
A City fan asked Lee for an update on the former Everton defender, querying whether it might be an injury that is keeping him out of Pep Guardiola’s side, before Lee suggested that the 26-year-old is struggling with an ankle problem.
The centre-back has struggled with injury problems throughout City’s Premier League campaign this season, making just 12 appearances in the top-flight, averaging a disappointing 6.68 average match rating (per WhoScored).
Here’s what was stated by the fan:
“Stones injured or just left out of match 20-man squad for the second time in a row?”
Lee replied:
“Ankle apparently”
This – coupled with the injury problems of fellow centre-back Aymeric Laporte – has caused a problem for the Citizens throughout the season, with the Manchester side having conceded 31 goals so far this season, which is already eight more than last season, despite having currently played eight games less.
TIF Thoughts…
Since signing from Everton for £47.5 million in 2016, Stones has gone on to make 129 appearances for the Citizens, contributing five goals and two assists (per Transfermarkt).
Despite being a regular in the City team that won successive Premier League titles in 2017/18 and 2018/19, the centre-back is yet to average above a 7.0 match rating for his performances in a top-flight season (per Whoscored).
Do you think Stones' time with City could be coming to an end?
Yes
No
It has been widely reported that Guardiola is in the market for centre-backs during the summer transfer window, and after Stones’ latest injury setback, we wonder if his time with the Citizens might be coming to an end in the near future.
It will certainly be interesting to see if the £32.4 million rated man will feature again before the end of the season.