Tuchel on John Stones: “When you come to the World Cup, you should be fit, and he’s fit”

April 23, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

Manchester City has maintained a notable silence regarding the future of England international defender John Stones, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the current season. Amid swirling reports of his impending departure, the club has declined to comment on the situation, leaving fans and pundits to speculate.

Stones, 31, arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2016 from Everton, establishing himself as a cornerstone of Pep Guardiola's formidable side. His tenure with the club has been remarkably successful, boasting an impressive haul of trophies including a Champions League title, two FA Cups, and six Premier League crowns. He is currently hoping to secure a seventh league triumph with City.

Departure reports surface

Reports, quoted by The Independent emerged ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Burnley suggesting that Stones would indeed leave Manchester City once his current deal concludes. These reports indicated that an official announcement regarding his departure could potentially arrive as early as next week. The speculation follows a recent confirmation from Manchester City last Thursday regarding captain Bernardo Silva’s summer departure, adding to the sense of an evolving squad.

This season, Stones has faced significant challenges, with various injury setbacks limiting him to just 15 appearances across all competitions. He recently recovered from a calf issue sustained during international duty last month and was named on the bench for Sunday’s 2-1 victory against Arsenal, indicating his return to fitness.

Guardiola and Tuchel weigh in

When questioned about clarity regarding Stones’ future, Pep Guardiola offered little insight into the contract situation, instead focusing on the defender's return to health. "No. The only thing I can say is that he is back for already two, three weeks. Monday he was training with us and this is the best news," Guardiola stated, sidestepping the contractual queries.

Despite his recent injury struggles and limited game time, Stones continues to be highly regarded by England manager Thomas Tuchel, who has described him as "world class" and possessing "credit in the bank" for national team selection. Tuchel recently commented on making an exception for Stones’ lack of minutes when considering him for World Cup selection.

"I don’t know yet, but if you come to the World Cup you should be fit. So when he came (to camp), he was fit. He did not have a lot of minutes, but he has a level of game understanding. So the exception of the rule means that he does not start a lot. I can see that because I’m a big fan and I know what he brings to the team in terms of personality, attitude and quality game understanding," Tuchel explained, highlighting Stones' enduring value.

As the season draws to a close and Stones aims for another Premier League title, the silence from Manchester City only fuels the uncertainty surrounding the future of one of their most decorated defenders.

Sources: www.independent.co.uk