Top News

It was the summer of 2020, and John Stones’ future at Manchester City seemed to be slipping away.

The defender had started only two of the Blues’ 14 post-Covid fixtures, his costly mistake in the Carabao Cup final months earlier had gifted Aston Villa a goal, and Port Vale striker Tom Pope – then playing in League Two – had famously mocked that he would love to face the ‘weak’ England international every week, boasting he would ‘score 40 a season’. Ironically, he did find the net against Stones and City in their 4-1 FA Cup third-round defeat that same season.

At that point, mid-table side Wolverhampton Wanderers were rumoured to be keen on signing him, and it appeared that Stones’ once-promising spell at the Etihad Stadium was destined to end in disappointment.

Fast forward to 2026, and the story could not be more different. Stones did not leave in 2020. Instead, he reinvented himself the following season, becoming indispensable in Pep Guardiola’s side. He evolved into the player City always believed he could be when they signed him in 2016, playing a crucial part in one of the club’s most successful eras.

Now, after ten glittering years at the Etihad, John Stones departs as one of the Premier League’s most complete defenders and a true cult hero among Manchester City fans — something made clear by the emotional farewell he received during his final match and the club’s trophy parade.

Let’s revisit the rollercoaster decade of the man affectionately known as the ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’, a journey filled with reinvention, resilience, and even some memorable dance moves.

As the nickname pays homage to German legend Franz Beckenbauer, whose revolutionary approach to defending inspired Stones’ own development, the Englishman began his footballing journey at his hometown club Barnsley before earning a move to Everton.

After three strong seasons at Goodison Park, where Chelsea showed consistent interest, Stones joined Manchester City in 2016 for £47.5 million — then the second-highest fee ever paid for a defender, behind David Luiz’s move to PSG. With Pep Guardiola as his new manager, expectations were sky-high for the young centre-back known for his composure and passing ability.

However, his early days under Guardiola were turbulent. City underperformed in the Spaniard’s debut season, and Stones’ mistakes in matches against Southampton, AS Monaco, and Everton made him a target of media criticism during what became Guardiola’s first trophyless campaign.

Despite the scrutiny, Guardiola’s faith never wavered. Stones made 41 appearances that season — his highest in a single campaign — as his manager valued both his technical ability and mental strength. Guardiola famously defended him after a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, saying Stones had ‘more personality, more balls’ than the journalists present, praising his courage to keep playing his way after setbacks.

By the 2017/18 season, City were transformed and Stones was integral to their strong start, featuring in the first 12 Premier League games. But a hamstring injury against Leicester in November halted his progress. By the time he returned, Aymeric Laporte had arrived, while Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi were both in fine form. Stones went to the 2018 World Cup having played sparingly but was rejuvenated by England’s run to the semi-finals in Russia.

Back at City, he was key in their 2018/19 title defence, particularly in the pivotal 2-1 win over Liverpool. At 0-0, a mix-up with Ederson saw Stones’ clearance rebound towards his own goal, but he managed to hook the ball off the line — just 11 millimetres from crossing it. That moment proved vital in City’s one-point title triumph. Although he didn’t play in the final game against Brighton, his dance moves in the dressing room celebrations to Robin S’ ‘Show Me Love’ became legendary among teammates.

The 2019/20 season was far more difficult. Injuries disrupted his rhythm, and a slip in the Carabao Cup final allowed Aston Villa to score, nearly costing City the trophy. With Fernandinho, Eric Garcia, and Nicolas Otamendi preferred in defence, Stones’ days at the club seemed numbered, and a move to Wolves appeared likely.

But Stones chose to stay and fight. Fittingly, his first game of the 2020/21 season was at Molineux, home of Wolves — the very club pursuing him. When he eventually partnered new signing Ruben Dias, the duo formed one of the Premier League’s most formidable pairings. From a 5-0 win over Burnley in November onwards, they started ten of the next eleven league matches, leading City back to the title and a Champions League final in Porto, where they fell to Chelsea.

Stones built a strong friendship with Dias, the pair often seen celebrating together after defensive heroics. He also grew close to Bernardo Silva, with the Portuguese midfielder later revealing he named his dog ‘John’ as a humorous tribute. Raheem Sterling encouraged Stones’ playful side, with the defender’s Jamaican accent impressions becoming a fan-favourite moment during title celebrations.

Though injuries limited him to 14 league appearances in the 2021/22 campaign, Stones’ reliability when fit had noticeably improved. The following season proved career-defining. After battling two hamstring issues around the 2022 World Cup, Stones returned to redefine his position entirely. Adapting Guardiola’s inverted full-back system, he began stepping into midfield from centre-back, seamlessly linking defence and attack.

His dynamic movement alongside Rodri baffled opponents, as he drifted from defence to midfield and even into attacking roles. City’s dominance was unmatched during this spell — Liverpool and Arsenal were crushed in the title run-in, Manchester United defeated in the FA Cup final, and a succession of European giants — RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Inter — fell as City completed a historic treble. Stones started and excelled in every final, his performances widely hailed as world-class.

During this golden period, Stones’ terrace chant — sung to the melody of Boney M’s ‘Daddy Cool’ — became iconic. Even during his final game against Aston Villa, he paused mid-match to acknowledge the South Stand singing about the man who ‘gets the Blues excited’ and ‘isn’t keen on United’.

Although injuries again plagued his final three seasons, Stones still played his part in four consecutive Premier League titles, crucial Champions League wins — including against Club Brugge — and multiple domestic trophies. Yet, 72 missed games for club and country underline how fitness remained his biggest challenge.

Now 32, John Stones bids farewell to Manchester City — the club he joined as a raw 21-year-old. Pep Guardiola saw in him the potential to be something special, making him the only player to feature in both his first and last games as City manager. Even beloved teammates like Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva cannot claim that distinction.

Through highs and lows, Stones built an unbreakable bond with City fans. Their chants of ‘JOHNNY, JOHNNY STONES!’ will echo for years, a testament to the affection shared between player and supporters.

Manchester City salutes you, John. Though you sometimes doubted your worthiness of such admiration, rest assured — you truly are deserving. A player like you may never come again.