- Guardiola hints at player exits
- Man City star wants to stay
- Rejects "laughable" rumours
Earlier this summer, manager Guardiola suggested some players will leave the club ahead of the new season.
He said: “I would love to have the players that we have right now all season. I love it. I don’t have any complaint about the players, how they behave. The problem is that they will be unhappy during the season. They will be sad. They will be disappointed. I don’t want that. For me it’s not a problem, I have more selection but I don’t like to have six or seven players or five players at home just in case there’s no injuries. I don’t want a big squad for them, not for me, for them. So that’s why we have to see what happens.”
Now, centre-back John Stones has dismissed rumours that he may be leaving the Etihad in the coming weeks.
He said, via Hayters: “I get told this, I don’t see a thing. It’s laughable to me but I understand why people do it, and there’s nothing to comment on. I love it here, nothing’s happening. I’m here to fight and play, and hopefully win some trophies.”
Stones has had an injury-hit couple of seasons, with the 31-year-old not featuring for City since February. However, he is back fit and raring to go for the new campaign.
“I’m good. Back to full fitness, feel great. I have been for a few months now, so I’m feeling good,” he added.
However, the إنجلترا international is in the last year of his contract so this could be his last season at the club.
Stones, who has been at City since signing from Everton in 2016, will hope to play a prominent role in the club’s upcoming season. It remains to be seen if he will be a starter or a bench player and if he is able to earn a contract extension.
