John Stones: Injury, Contract, & Relationship Updates

Few defenders have had as eventful a decade at one club as John Stones. Since joining Manchester City in 2016, the Barnsley-born centre-back has won five Premier League titles and a Champions League, but his career has also been marred by persistent injuries and contract uncertainty.

Age: 32 (born 28 May 1994) ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) ·
Current club: Manchester City ·
Position: Centre-back / defensive midfielder ·
England caps: 83 (as of May 2025)

Seven key facts, one snapshot: Stones’ career is a mix of elite success and physical fragility.

The pattern: Stones’ career numbers show a decade of service but also a decline in availability since the 2023 treble.

What happened with John Stones?

Injury timeline

John Stones’ 2024/25 season was derailed by a thigh injury sustained in March 2025. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the campaign, including the FA Cup final in May. According to The Athletic (sports journalism outlet), Stones started only six Premier League matches that season and made 20 appearances in all competitions, with recurring hamstring and foot problems also limiting his game time.

Current fitness status

As of May 2025, Stones remains sidelined. Manager Pep Guardiola said in a press conference that the club would assess his fitness before making any decisions on a new contract. “We need to see how he performs,” Guardiola stated, reported by The Athletic. The defender himself admitted he had contemplated retirement because of the persistent injuries, calling the physical toll “really tough.”

The implication: until Stones proves he can stay fit for a full season, his role at City — and potentially for England — remains uncertain.

Why isn’t John Stones playing for City?

Recurring muscle injuries

Stones missed 36 matches in the 2024/25 season due to injury, as per The Athletic’s injury tracker. The list includes hamstring strains, foot issues, and the recent thigh problem. His last appearance came in March 2025. The pattern of recurrent muscle injuries has made it difficult for him to build match fitness.

Competition for places

Manchester City’s defensive depth — with Rúben Dias, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Aké — means that even when fit, Stones is not guaranteed a starting spot. Guardiola has rotated heavily, but Stones’ absence during crucial phases of the season has shifted the hierarchy. The Athletic notes that the club is adopting a “wait-and-see” approach, evaluating Stones’ fitness before committing to a new deal.

Is John Stones leaving Man City?

Contract situation

Stones’ current contract runs until 30 June 2026. He earns £200,000 per week, according to Spotrac (salary data specialist), totalling £10.4 million annually. Because he entered the final year of his agreement, Stones became eligible to negotiate with clubs outside England from January 2025. The Athletic reports that Guardiola described the situation as a “wait-and-see” rather than an immediate renewal.

Reported interest from other clubs

ESPN reported in April 2025 that Stones is expected to leave at the end of the season, with a return to Everton — his boyhood club — being a strong possibility. The Guardian (UK newspaper) later confirmed in 2026 that City had told Stones he would be released at contract expiry, ending a ten-year spell at the club. The pattern: the club is moving on, and Stones is likely to follow.

Is John Stones in a relationship?

Partner details

John Stones is in a long-term relationship with Olivia Naylor. The couple met in 2019, according to the South China Morning Post (international news outlet). They became engaged in August 2024, following England’s Euro 2024 campaign, as Goal (football news site) reported. Reports in July 2025 claimed they married in Ibiza at Hacienda Na Xamena, though the couple has not publicly confirmed the wedding.

Public appearances

Stones and Naylor have a daughter born in 2021, and HELLO! magazine (celebrity and lifestyle publisher) reported that they also welcomed a son in January 2023. The family resides in Hale, Greater Manchester, a quiet area favoured by several City players.

Who is England defender John Stones’ wife, Olivia Naylor?

Profession

Olivia Naylor is a Manchester-based entrepreneur. The South China Morning Post describes her as a “beautician turned entrepreneur” who built her own businesses before the football spotlight intensified. She has reportedly launched a beauty and lifestyle brand, though she keeps a relatively low profile compared to many WAGs.

Background

Born in 1993, Naylor is 31 years old as of 2025. She is from the Manchester area and has been a steady presence in Stones’ life since they began dating in early 2019.

How much does John Stones earn at Man City?

Weekly wage

Stones earns £200,000 per week, according to Spotrac. That places him among the higher earners in the City squad, though not at the very top of the wage structure.

Contract value

His annual salary totals £10.4 million. The contract he signed in 2022 runs through 2026, meaning he has two years of guaranteed income left. If he leaves this summer, a transfer fee or a contract termination would affect the remaining value. The Athletic notes that the club is not rushing to offer an extension, preferring to see how his fitness holds up.

Timeline: John Stones’ career at Manchester City

• 2016 — Stones joins Manchester City from Everton for £47.5 million (BBC Sport)
• 2019 — Begins relationship with Olivia Naylor
• 2021 — Daughter born
• 2023 — Wins Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup (treble) — 34 appearances, 2,698 minutes
• March 2025 — Sustains thigh injury, misses remainder of season
• April 2025 — Reports emerge that Stones is expected to leave Man City in summer
• 2026 — The Guardian reports City confirms Stones will leave at contract expiry

What is confirmed and what is unclear

Confirmed facts

• John Stones is under contract with Manchester City until 2026.
• He has 83 England caps (as of May 2025).
• He is in a relationship with Olivia Naylor and they have two children.
• He suffered a thigh injury in March 2025 and missed the rest of the season.
• He earns £200,000 per week at Manchester City.

What’s unclear

• Whether he will leave Manchester City in the summer 2025 transfer window.
• Exact date of return from thigh injury.
• Whether he will be offered a new contract or allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2026.
• Details of his marriage to Olivia Naylor — the couple have not publicly confirmed the Ibiza wedding.

“We need to see how he performs. The club will decide what is best for him.”

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, in a press conference (March 2025) — reported by The Athletic

“I did think about retirement. It was really tough, the injuries. But I’m not ready to give up yet.”

John Stones, in an interview with The Athletic (2025)

For Stones, the next 12 months are a career crossroads. His body has failed him at the worst possible time — just as his contract winds down and a generation of young defenders rise. If he can rediscover the form that made him Guardiola’s trusted hybrid defender, a new chapter at a club like Everton could revive his international career. If not, the 2025-26 season may be his last in the Premier League spotlight. The choice is partly his, partly his body’s — and partly the club’s.

For a detailed breakdown of his career statistics and injury history, check out John Stones career stats and injury timeline.

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