Manchester City Defender Jone stones has announced this morning that he will be Leaving Ethihad Stadium to join this shocking Premier League Club this summer due to lack of playing time

If you had told a Manchester City supporter a year ago that John Stones would be healthy for a string of games that needed to be won in order to win the Premier League, they would have thought Pep Guardiola would have chosen to start him instead.

It would seem unimaginable that Stones wouldn’t be the first name on the teamsheet whenever feasible for the current campaign, given his command of the midfield in the Champions League final eleven months ago. However, a combination of fitness setbacks and injuries have interfered with his season, limiting him to just 27 games this year.

He hasn’t played all ninety minutes since the trip to Real Madrid, and he has only started one of the previous seven games. Josko Gvardiol has been impressive at left-back, while Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake have established themselves as regulars in his place. He has only played 76 of the 660 minutes that are available. In the previous 20 games, Akanji has started 18 of them.

Ruben Dias made a comeback to the starting lineup against Fulham, and after Ake got hurt, Kyle Walker replaced him, even though Pep Guardiola acknowledged that the right-back had hardly practiced in the lead-up. Nevertheless, the substitution did allow Akanji to be shifted from right-back, where he was having trouble.

Why, therefore, has Stones suddenly found himself ranked fifth or sixth? He is absolutely healthy and uninjured, as Guardiola stated at Craven Cottage.

Guardiola said, “He’s absolutely terrific [fitness-wise].” Occasionally, the other players take a step forward. Nathan was amazing, and Manu is playing incredible right now. For that reason. when you’re in that position playing games. Jack played a lot previous season and less this season. You have to play consistently well—well, well, well—many times on this squad.”

Guardiola challenged Stones to return to the starting lineup for the season’s last three games, comparing the two center backs from England to a father and son connection.

“I am familiar with the participants. Like when I came here years ago, Gundogan was my first signing,” he went on. “We’re not quite father and son, but we do know each other rather well. John needs to answer this issue because we need him now and in the future.”

Guardiola brought up Grealish, another player who appeared unbeatable the previous season but fell out of contention for no apparent reason. Grealish missed the trip to Fulham due to injury. It’s just that other gamers are better. Following his injury, even Ederson had to put in some effort to regain his position.

For residents of the City, perhaps this is the new normal. Players know that if they do well, they will keep the shirt, and nobody is underoppable. Twelve months after leading the Blues to the triple crown, Stones need to respond or risk being placed on watch for the remaining three finals of the season.