Stones’ pursuit of World Cup selection and new Manchester City contract starts with victory against Salford.

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City’s FA Cup match against Salford City is unlikely to be memorable. The two sides managed a total of six shots on target on Saturday, with City securing a 2-0 victory and avoiding any cup surprises.

The most notable occurrence was two fans racing around the pitch in house costumes during halftime. Even Pep Guardiola later described the match as “boring.”

It was indeed forgettable, except for John Stones.

If Stones aims for a successful second half of the season, he may look back at this routine fourth-round match as a pivotal moment. His journey toward the FIFA World Cup, and potentially a new contract with City, begins with Salford.

This match marked Stones’ first start in nearly three months following recovery from a thigh injury. He will face tougher challenges than the one posed by Ryan Graydon, a 26-year-old striker who was recently playing in the League of Ireland, but if Stones wants to secure a spot on England’s roster for North America and remain at the Etihad Stadium beyond the summer, he must start somewhere.

Guardiola was not pleased with his team’s display — he labeled it “no good” until the second goal was scored nine minutes from the end — and viewed Stones’ return as one of the few positives.

“He’s back,” stated the City manager. “He still requires time. He isn’t the John Stones we once knew, but that’s expected after being out for more than two months. His body language was very encouraging.”

“It’s normal that he lacked the tempo to engage in duels, which is understandable after more than two months injured, but it’s significant that he played 60 minutes. That’s a positive.”

For a player who has faced fitness challenges over the past 18 months, this was crucial playing time. It is likely that Thomas Tuchel has taken note.

The England manager does not have many options available at center back. Stones started the last World Cup qualifier against Albania in November alongside Dan Burn.

The squad also featured Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Guéhi, who is now Stones’ teammate at City after transferring from Crystal Palace in January for £20 million and scored the second goal against Salford. Harry Maguire is back in contention for the camp in March after reestablishing himself in the Manchester United lineup.

With 87 international caps and experience in five major tournaments, Stones remains England’s most experienced defender. If he can demonstrate his fitness, he is likely to participate in his third World Cup.

However, his future at City is more uncertain.

Stones’ contract expires in the summer, and Guardiola has suggested that this season might be Stones’ final one at the Etihad. He has achieved everything since joining in 2016, but his injury history is becoming a concern.

“I believe what has transpired over the last two seasons will influence the decision at the end of the season,” Guardiola remarked in October. “He has been injured frequently, so we must wait and see.”

Stones has been integral to Guardiola’s success at City.

A ball-playing center back was considered essential to his tactical approach, prompting the club to intensify their pursuit while Guardiola was still at Bayern Munich. City was so eager to finalize the deal that when he arrived from Everton in the same summer as Guardiola, he became the second-most-expensive defender in history.

With 13 major trophies in a decade, it has proven to be a worthwhile investment.

Sources have informed ESPN that, at present, Stones is likely to depart at the end of the season. He has not started a Premier League match since October and was limited to just six league starts last season.

Given Guardiola’s grim outlook on Stones’ prospects for a new contract, the situation appears to be precarious, but it would not be the first time he has fought back from adversity.

Struggling with form and fitness at the conclusion of the COVID-delayed 2019-20 season, he seemed on the verge of leaving. Three years later, however, as City pursued a treble, Stones had become Guardiola’s key player.

It was the season when City supporters began singing “Johnny, Johnny Stones” to the melody of Boney M’s “Daddy Cool” in acknowledgment of his influence, often playing in a hybrid role between defense and midfield. The song has not been heard much in the past year and a half as Stones has battled to remain fit.

Back on the field against Salford, it was the first tune that resonated from the stands after kickoff. The fans who sang it likely forgot the match as soon as they reached their vehicles after the final whistle.

Stones may recall it more fondly, especially if it leads to the World Cup and a new contract.