John Stones
April 2026
John Stones has confirmed he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season, ending a 10-year spell that saw him become a key figure in one of the club’s most successful eras. Stones announced his decision publicly, reflecting on his growth and achievements under Pep Guardiola. Departing as a free agent, his exit signals a wider squad transition as City begin reshaping their roster for the next cycle.
Pep Guardiola
January 2026
Guardiola implied some City players are not fully committed to playing through minor issues, citing Cruyff’s view that players who do not want to be injured generally are not, while listing multiple absences for the Galatasaray game. He referenced the club’s medical staff, then suggested mindset matters beyond bad luck. He confirmed several injured players will miss the Champions League tie, with January signings also ineligible.
Josko Gvardiol
January 2026
Manchester City confirmed Josko Gvardiol has suffered a tibial fracture after the Chelsea draw, raising concern he could miss a significant period. The defensive situation is compounded by other centre-back issues. Gvardiol went off early in the second half and initial signs looked minor, but medical confirmation revealed a broken right leg. City’s back line is stretched with Ruben Dias also forced off and John Stones already unavailable.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Kyle Walker (Burnley), John Stones, Phil Foden (Manchester City)
October 2025
Ex-England striker Michael Owen has warned that the Three Lions could struggle at the 2026 World Cup due to ageing stars, dips in form, and harsh conditions in North America. He doubts Tuchel’s squad is improving compared to recent years.
Owen noted Kane and Stones are past their peak, Walker will be absent, and players like Foden haven’t maintained prior levels. He also flagged squad depth issues in defence and concerns over fitness in hot U.S./Mexico conditions. Tuchel’s challenge will be building chemistry around younger talents like Bellingham and Saka while phasing out fading veterans.
