John Stones without a club as England prepare to face Mexico at World Cup

John Stones has arrived at the World Cup without a club to his name, after his Manchester City contract officially expired at the start of July. The 32-year-old centre-back will be hoping to feature for England when they face Mexico in the last 16, despite his uncertain future at domestic level.

Stones spent a decade at the Etihad Stadium following his move from Everton, arriving in the same summer that Pep Guardiola took charge of the club. In that time he won 15 major honours with City, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Fringe role prompted City exit

Once a regular fixture in City’s back line, Stones found himself further down the pecking order last season after returning from injury. With Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov forming City’s preferred central defensive pairing, and Nathan Ake selected ahead of him for the Carabao Cup final, Stones confirmed in April that he would depart when his contract ran out.

Announcing his departure on Instagram, Stones wrote: “They say all good things must come to an end… but this thing we have had has been the greatest and it will remain a part of me forever.”

His decision followed comments from Guardiola about the defender’s fitness struggles. “I don’t have doubts with John,” the City boss said. “When he reaches his level, he is a top central defender. Unfortunately, I only want him fit and unfortunately, like last season, a lot of the time it is not possible.”

Despite making just five league starts for City last term, including an emotional farewell appearance on the final day of the season, Stones was still named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup. The manager even preferred him to club colleague Guehi for the Three Lions’ opening victory over Croatia.

Everton and AC Milan linked

Stones has since dropped out of the starting XI but will be pushing for a recall as England take on Mexico in the round of 16. His long-term club future, however, remains unresolved as he heads into the knockout stages without a contract.

BBC Sport reports that former club Everton and Italian side AC Milan have been linked with a move for the defender as a free agent. Speaking last month, Stones made clear he wanted to prove a point after his limited game time at City.

“I was fit enough 100 per cent, it comes down to various things, the manager (Guardiola) and that’s something I can’t control and I think it’s always difficult to pick an XI and I say this to him,” Stones said. “He knows how much I wanted to play, how much I wanted to be there and you can look at it in so many ways. I think I feel as good as I’ve ever been before a tournament.”

Stones is far from alone among leading names entering the tournament without a club. Liverpool great Mohamed Salah, Manchester United’s Casemiro and Croatian veteran Luka Modric are also among the free agents at the World Cup, while Stones’ former City teammate Bernardo Silva has already agreed a free transfer to Real Madrid.

Read more: England return to Azteca Stadium after 40 years for Mexico World Cup last 16 clash