John Stones’ first meeting with his former club looks unlikely to come this weekend, despite the timing lining up perfectly for a reunion.
City face Inter Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday in a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final, just days after Stones completed his move to the Serie A champions on a free transfer. The 32-year-old underwent his medical and signed his contract in Milan on Thursday.
Reports suggest Stones will take a short continuation of his summer break before properly joining up with Cristian Chivu’s squad, rather than travelling out to Asia for pre-season duty so soon after signing.
Inter’s competitive campaign doesn’t begin until 22 August against Monza, giving Chivu little reason to rush his new centre-back into a friendly on the other side of the world.
It means Stones’ first appearance against City, if it happens at all this pre-season, is more likely to come when the sides meet in actual competition than in Hong Kong this weekend.
City’s own squad for the trip already reflects a club in transition.
Enzo Maresca named a 28-man group for the Asia tour, with World Cup contingent members including Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi and Rodri all held back, and Stones’ departure leaving one of the more sentimental gaps in the squad picture as the post-Guardiola era begins.
For now, the reunion will have to wait.
[Source: Manchester Evening News]
