John Stones has pulled out of the England squad and returned to Manchester City, the FA has announced.
09.03.2022 - 15:09 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Yaya Toure. Vincent Kompany. David Silva. Sergio Aguero.
For the last four summers in succession, Manchester City have waved an emotional goodbye to a club legend, a player integral to them becoming the super club they are today. This year it could well be a fifth but, instead, everything possible should be done to buck the trend and keep Fernandinho at the Etihad.
The City stalwart is now into his ninth season in the Premier League and, just like it was last year when he signed a one-year extension, his contract is currently set to expire in the summer. City have done such a good job in recent years of knowing when it's time to say goodbye to defining players when other clubs would become attached and allow to deteriorate at the top level.
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Sentimentality can be costly in this and the club has never allowed it to rule its thought process when handing out new contracts.
There is a mixed record on replacing them, there's no doubt there. It took City a season, in which they surrendered the title to Liverpool before they brought in Ruben Dias, to replace Kompany. They failed to sign a new out-and-out striker to replace Aguero in the summer, too, with attempts to bring in Harry Kane proving fruitless.
Yet it's hard to argue that the decision to let those players go wasn't the right one. Each of them, while still immensely talented, were past their peaks and it was better to allow them to leave on tear-jerking highs rather than fizzling out. You'd rather leave with people thinking it's too soon than them ushering you out the door.
There would be a nice synergy to Fernandinho leaving this summer. Five years in a row in
John Stones has pulled out of the England squad and returned to Manchester City, the FA has announced.
Here are your Manchester City evening headlines for Sunday, March 27:
Ilkay Gundogan thinks Erling Haaland would have no problem fitting in at Manchester City.
Former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has made a bizarre and bold claim, insisting that "everybody" in England supports Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola has reportedly chosen to sign Harry Kane over Erling Haaland this summer.
Ruben Dias remains a doubt for Manchester City's crunch Premier League and Champions League games next month after Pep Guardiola was told trying to bring the defender back too early could end his season.
Liverpool fans have been rolling their eyes after learning that Ruben Dias is back in training two weeks after Manchester City said the defender would be out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury.
Here are your Manchester City evening headlines on Wednesday, March 16.
Manchester City fans couldn't be happier with Pep Guardiola as he named what many consider his strongest side against Crystal Palace.
Here are your Manchester City evening headlines for Monday, March 14.
Pep Guardiola's side travel to Selhurst Park tonight looking to reopen their six-point gap at the top of the Premier League table.
Your Manchester City evening headlines for Sunday, March 13.
Pep Guardiola will undoubtedly be asked, at the next opportunity, about the fact Manchester City appear to be moving ever closer to a deal for Erling Haaland this summer. His response is entirely predictable - he will sigh and say that he does not speak about players who belong to other clubs and that Haaland remains on Borussia Dortmund’s payroll.
Manchester City are still cautious about their chances of landing Erling Haaland - although the Blues are undoubtedly in pole position to secure the Borussia Dortmund sensation.
Manchester City saw their ploy to sign former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud prior to his move to AC Milan rejected, according to reports.
Pep Guardiola is keeping his fingers crossed that Manchester City's injury situation will improve in time for Crystal Palace.
Manchester City have reportedly been alerted to the availability of Robert Lewandowski in the summer.