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'Very unhappy' Manchester City defender considering summer exit?

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 14 May 2024

'Very unhappy' Man City defender considering summer exit?

One of Manchester City's defenders is reportedly 'very unhappy' with his game time and will consider an exit from the Etihad Stadium this summer.

The Citizens are currently bidding to become the first club in Premier League history to win a fourth successive title and will move to the top of the table with victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.

Pep Guardiola's men extended their impressive unbeaten league run to 21 matches when they cruised to a 4-0 win at Fulham last weekend, with defender Josko Gvardiol scoring twice.

Gvardiol has been in fine form in recent months and has cemented his place at left-back, while the rest of Guardiola's defensive options have been rotated in the right-back and centre-back roles.

Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake are the options at Guardiola's disposal, but one of those is believed to be concerned by his current role at Man City.

Manchester City's John Stones before the match December 16, 2023 © Reuters

Stones considering Man City exit this summer?

According to Football Insider, England international Stones has been left 'very unhappy' after losing his regular starting role at Man City.

The report adds that the 29-year-old is concerned that his lack of game time with the Citizens could have an impact on his position with the Three Lions beyond this summer.

It has been claimed that Stones's long-term future at the Etihad is uncertain, even though he still has just over two years remaining on his contract.

Stones has started only five of Man City's last 15 games across all competitions since the beginning of March, although he has only recently recovered from a groin injury.

England's John Stones shakes hands with manager Gareth Southgate after sustaining an injury on March 26, 2024 © Reuters

Should Stones be concerned about losing England spot?

All players at the highest level want to play week in week out, especially those contracted to a club such as Man City who are fighting on multiple fronts for silverware.

Although Stones has been hampered with injuries during his Citizens career, he remains an integral member of Guardiola's squad and his ability to operate as a hybrid midfielder has been invaluable in recent seasons.

Stones is aware that he is one of five central defenders fighting for regular starts at Man City and Guardiola has regularly rotated his defensive options, so to see reports of the Englishman wanting to leave in somewhat of a surprise.

The former Everton man should not fear losing his England spot and should take encouragement from Harry Maguire's situation at Manchester United earlier this season.

Maguire has been a peripheral figure under Erik ten Hag at times this season, but he is still highly regarded by England boss Gareth Southgate, and the same can be said for Stones. Even though he has not played as much as he would have hoped this term, he remains England's first-choice central defender heading into Euro 2024.