Manchester City centre-back “very unhappy” following recent Pep Guardiola decisions

A new report has claimed that Pep Guardiola’s recent Manchester City team selections have left versatile defensive option John Stones “very unhappy”.

The England international defender has been in and out of Pep Guardiola’s selections throughout the duration of the campaign, struggling for fitness for the majority of the season alongside the fine form of his fellow teammates.

The decline in game time for Stones follows a staggering 2022/23 season that saw the former Everton man contribute heavily to Manchester City’s Treble-winning campaign, as he starred in a modern inverted full-back role, operating alongside Rodri in defensive midfield.

But with Kyle Walker often being entrusted to occupy the right-back slot, and Manuel Akanji excelling to a new level following a remarkable first season in sky blue, couple with fitness issues, John Stones has found himself cemented to the bench during the business end.

Unsurprisingly, reports have began to emerge speculating the 29-year-old’s unhappiness with his situation, and a possibility of an openness to a Manchester City exit, should the right opportunity present itself.

According to the information of Football Insider, John Stones is “very unhappy” at losing his Manchester City starting role despite being fully fit and available, starting just one Premier League game since March.

It is further detailed that Stones is ‘concerned’ about losing his nailed-on position in the England team as a result of his ongoing Manchester City status, despite already being considered a ‘guaranteed starter’ at centre-back under Gareth Southgate for the Euros.

Stones’ concerns revolve around the fact that a longer spell out of Manchester City’s team could see him lose his place beyond this summer for the Three Lions, with Football Insider going as far as to state that his Etihad Stadium future is now up in the air.

The general feeling despite the latest report is that John Stones is more motivated than ever to break back into the line-ups selected by Pep Guardiola, and is very content with his lifestyle and position as a Manchester City player.

As such, the ongoing situation he finds himself in is being viewed as a temporary blip in his scintillating top level career, and any move away from the Etihad Stadium during the upcoming market is deemed as being highly unlikely.

As for Manchester City and the prospect of the club recruiting in central defence, such an approach to the window is unlikely too, although club bosses are admirers of the talents of Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.