John Stones’ Return Sparks Hope Amidst Manchester City’s FA Cup Victory

omidbasir- MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City’s FA Cup match against Salford City is unlikely to be remembered for its excitement. The two teams managed just six shots on target combined, with City winning 2-0 without any significant surprises.

The most notable moment occurred during halftime when two fans raced around the pitch in house costumes. Even Pep Guardiola later described the match as “boring.”

However, for John Stones, this game may prove to be a crucial milestone as he looks to rejuvenate his season. Following a lengthy recovery from a thigh injury, this fourth-round fixture offers him a platform to restart his campaign. As he aims for a spot on the FIFA World Cup roster and possibly a new contract with Manchester City, this match could be just the beginning.

Stones made his first start in nearly three months against Salford, facing a relatively low-key opponent in Ryan Graydon, a striker recently emerged from the League of Ireland. Nevertheless, for Stones to secure his place on the flight to North America and extend his tenure at the Etihad Stadium, every opportunity counts.

Guardiola expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s performance, describing it as “no good” until the second goal was scored nine minutes from the end. Despite this, he viewed Stones’ return as one of the few positives.

“He’s back,” Guardiola stated. “He still needs time. He’s not the John Stones we knew, but that’s normal after being out for over two months. His body language was really good.”

For a player who has faced fitness challenges in the last 18 months, this match offered invaluable playing time. National team coach Thomas Tuchel likely took notice, especially given the limited options available at center back. Stones last played for England in the World Cup qualifier against Albania in November, alongside Dan Burn.

The current squad also features Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Guéhi, who joined City from Crystal Palace in January and scored City’s second goal against Salford. Harry Maguire is also vying for a spot in the upcoming March camp after regaining his position at Manchester United.

With 87 international appearances and experience from five major tournaments, Stones remains a senior figure in England’s defense. If he can demonstrate his fitness, he is likely to feature in his third World Cup.

However, uncertainty surrounds his future at Manchester City. Stones is set to become a free agent this summer, and Guardiola has hinted that this season may be his last at the club. Despite winning numerous titles since his arrival in 2016, concerns over his injury history loom large.

“I think the past two seasons will influence the decision at the end of the season,” Guardiola remarked in October, referencing Stones’ repeated injuries.

Stones has played a key role in Guardiola’s successes at City. The need for a ball-playing center back was emphasized even when Guardiola was at Bayern Munich, leading City to secure Stones in the same transfer window. His signing from Everton made him the second-most-expensive defender at that time, a strategic investment yielding 13 major trophies in ten years.

Sources suggest that Stones is likely to depart at the season’s end, especially since he hasn’t started a Premier League match since October and only made six league starts last season. Given Guardiola’s dim outlook on a potential contract extension, the situation appears precarious. Yet, this is not the first time Stones has faced adversity.

Previously, after a period of poor form and fitness following the COVID-delayed 2019-20 season, it seemed he might exit the club. Three years later, however, he became central to City’s treble-winning season, earning the admiration of fans who sang “Johnny, Johnny Stones” to the tune of Boney M’s “Daddy Cool.”

As he returned to the pitch against Salford, this song was once again heard from the stands. Though most fans may have forgotten the match shortly after it ended, Stones could cherish this moment, especially if it leads to a World Cup opportunity and a new contract.