Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has refused to be drawn on the future of defender John Stones amid growing speculation linking him with a summer move to Chelsea.
Stones, 31, has reportedly emerged as a target for CHELSEA as the club plans another phase of its long-term rebuild. With the futures of several senior defenders uncertain at Stamford Bridge, the England international is seen as a potential leadership figure capable of bringing experience and composure to a young back line.
But when asked about the player’s situation during his pre-match media duties on Tuesday, Guardiola declined to provide clarity, offering only brief praise for the centre-back while steering away from any talk of a transfer. The Spaniard reiterated his long-standing policy of avoiding public discussions about player contracts or negotiations.
“The only thing I can say is that he’s [Stones] back for already two or three weeks,” said Guardiola.
“On Monday he’s training with us. And this is the best news.
His measured response mirrors City’s typical approach to transfer speculation, but it has done little to quiet rumours of a potential summer departure. Stones has faced a challenging campaign marked by injuries and limited minutes in key fixtures, leading to questions about his long-term role within Manchester City’s evolving defensive structure.
Chelsea’s reported interest is driven partly by their desire to bring in experienced Premier League figures, following successive seasons of inconsistency. With several younger defenders yet to establish themselves fully, the club’s recruitment team is believed to be prioritising leaders who can stabilise the squad under a new managerial direction.
Stones, who has two years remaining on his current City deal, is understood to be assessing his own future as well. While he remains highly regarded at the Etihad, increased competition for places and City’s willingness to refresh their back line could create an opening for a summer exit if suitable offers arrive.
For now, both clubs remain publicly non-committal. Manchester City continue their pursuit of more silverware, while CHELSEA focus on securing European qualification before turning their attention to the transfer window.
With Guardiola offering no assurances and Chelsea monitoring the situation closely, Stones’ future is set to be one of the more closely watched storylines as the summer market approaches.
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