The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

Manchester City defender John Stones has followed in the footsteps of teammate Bernardo Silva by announcing he will leave the club at the end of the season. Stones, 31, joined the club in 2016, when he signed from Everton in a £47.5 million deal.

The former Barnsley defender will go down as a City legend, but his time at Man City hasn’t always been a smooth ride. Famously, in the early days of his stay at Man City and Pep Guardiola’s stay at the club, Stones received severe criticism.

Guardiola fiercely defended Stones in those moments, who was his second signing when he joined the club after Ilkay Gundogan.

Criticism, it appeared (according to some), that he wouldn’t be able to recover from, but to his credit, the Yorkshire man showed the trademark Yorkshire grit and would go on to win The Club World Cup and the Champions League, alongside his many League titles.

Like players before him, Stones remodelled himself and, on several occasions, would push up to play in midfield. Famously, in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, John Stones bossed Nico Barella, one of the best central midfielders in the modern game.

Despite not being a natural in the position, John Stones became determined to hone this new craft and pit his wits against the best. Sadly for the Everton man, injuries became more frequent, and that affected his form.

For a man who has been a great servant for the club, this season, as it stands, can be a great way to go out on. Suitors, no doubt, will be plenty. John Stones, at 31, most certainly still has a lot to give.