Stones has no plans to leave Man City

John Stones has expressed his desire to stay at Manchester City and hopes to "shut down" any suggestions that he will leave this summer.

Stones endured an injury-hit campaign in 2024-25, featuring just 20 times across all competitions and has not turned out under Pep Guardiola since February. 

The defender is in City's squad for their Club World Cup campaign but is yet to make his return after suffering a thigh injury against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Stones also struggled to stay fit in the 2023-24 campaign, starting only 12 Premier League matches, with reports suggesting a return to Everton could be on the cards this summer.

Guardiola has said he would like to trim his squad, and now has seven central defenders to choose from following the January arrivals of Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov. 

The England international, who turned 31 at the end of last month, is also about to enter the final year of his contract, but intends to fight for his place at the club. 

"I'm here, I want to stay here, I love it," Stones said. "I'm here to help the team, and I don't know what's been said or speculated, but I hope that kind of shuts it down."

Stones sat out City's opening game of the Club World Cup, which saw them defeat Wydad AC 2-0 thanks to goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku. 

They face Al Ain next in what will be the first ever game between a side from England and a team from the United Arab Emirates in any competition, with Stones ready if he is called upon.

"I'm back fit, feel great, and I'm excited to get going," Stones said. "It's difficult when you're injured.

"There's been points where you think you've been giving all this effort, you dedicate all your life, especially how I approach or go about my life, and football.

"I give everything, on and off the pitch to be here or be ready to play games and those are the dark days."

Stones has played a key role in City's success since arriving at the club in 2016, making 277 appearances across all competitions under Guardiola, making him the eighth-most-used player during the Spaniard's tenure at the Etihad Stadium. 

He enjoyed a fine campaign in 2022-23, helping the Citizens lift their first Champions League title, often stepping into midfield from centre-back.

But during City's struggles last year, injuries played their part. Stones was one of several players to miss large parts of the campaign, along with fellow defenders Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake. 

"It is frustrating for me," he said. "I put a lot of pressure on myself. I find it very challenging mentally.

"I have had some very low points in the past season and I just have to come back and once you come over those things, you can't really see the end of the tunnel when they keep happening.

"It's frustrating for the team, for myself, for the manager, that you're not available to help them, and you've got to find another way to be around the team."