MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City secured a routine 2-0 victory over Salford City in the FA Cup, but the match was hardly memorable. The game produced just six shots on target between the two teams, and there were no dramatic moments to savor.
The most notable event occurred during halftime when two fans dressed in house costumes raced around the pitch, while even Pep Guardiola described the match as “boring.”
Yet, this game held special significance for John Stones. For him, this unremarkable fourth-round fixture could mark the turning point for a successful second half of the season. His journey toward the FIFA World Cup and a potential new contract with City begins here, against Salford.
Stones made his first start in nearly three months after recovering from a thigh injury. While he faced relatively low-level competition in Ryan Graydon, a 26-year-old striker recently from the League of Ireland, Stones must use this match as a stepping stone if he’s to secure a place on England‘s roster for the North America trip and to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s overall performance, deeming it “no good” until City scored their second goal nine minutes from the end. Still, he highlighted Stones’ return as one of the few bright spots of the match.
“He’s back,” Guardiola remarked. “He still needs time. He’s not yet the John Stones we remember, which is expected after being out for over two months. His body language was positive.”
“It’s normal that he struggled with the tempo after such a long injury layoff, but the 60 minutes he played is crucial for him.”
For a player who has battled fitness over the past 18 months, any playing time is invaluable. England manager Thomas Tuchel will certainly be taking note.
The national setup lacks a wealth of options at center back. In the last World Cup qualifier in November, Stones partnered with Dan Burn.
The squad also featured the likes of Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Guéhi, who recently joined City from Crystal Palace and scored the second goal against Salford. Harry Maguire is also back in the selection mix for the March camp following a resurgence at Manchester United.
With 87 caps and experience at five major tournaments, Stones remains a key figure in England’s defense. If he can demonstrate his fitness, he is expected to participate in his third World Cup.
However, there remains uncertainty about his future at City.
Stones’ contract expires this summer, and Guardiola has suggested that this might be Stones’ final season at the Etihad. Despite having won every major title since joining the club in 2016, his injury record has raised alarms.
“What has transpired over the last two seasons will heavily influence the decision at the end of the year,” Guardiola said last October. “His injury issues are a concern, so we must see what unfolds.”
Stones has been pivotal to Guardiola’s success at City.
His ability as a ball-playing centerback was so vital to Guardiola’s vision that the club was urged to pursue him while he was still at Bayern Munich. When he joined from Everton the same summer Guardiola arrived, he became the second-most expensive defender in history.
With 13 major trophies won in a decade, his transfer has proven to be a sound investment.
However, sources have informed ESPN that Stones is likely to depart at the end of the current season. He hasn’t started a Premier League match since October and made only six league starts last season.
Guardiola’s grim outlook on Stones’ prospects for a new contract suggests an uncertain future, but this isn’t the first time he has fought against the odds.
At the conclusion of the COVID-affected 2019-20 season, he faced challenges regarding his form and fitness, putting his future in question. Yet, three years later, as City pursued the treble, Stones became a key player for Guardiola.
This was when City fans began chanting “Johnny, Johnny Stones” to the tune of Boney M’s “Daddy Cool” to acknowledge his influence, often as he played a hybrid role in defense and midfield. However, the chant has faded over the past year and a half due to Stones’ ongoing fitness struggles.
Back on the field against Salford, it was the first song to resonate from the stands after kickoff. Those who sang it likely forgot the match moments after leaving their seats, but for Stones, this memory could hold much more significance, especially if it leads to his World Cup appearance and a contract renewal.