Many Manchester City fans have been reacting on social media to reports by the Mirror, claiming Chelsea are ready to pursue a summer transfer of defender John Stones.
Frank Lampard is working on restructuring the defence at Stamford Bridge after his side conceded more Premier League goals (54) than Arsenal (48), Burnley (50) and Crystal Palace (50), despite ending the season in fourth place and qualifying for the Champions League.
One player the Blues have in mind is Brighton & Hove Albion’s Lewis Dunk, as he is seen as an ‘efficient’ centre-half who would offer a ‘vocal, no-nonsense type’ to lead the line.
The defeated FA Cup Finalists could look to partner Dunk’s arrival with that of Stones’, even should the Seagulls demand their full £40million asking price, as the £100,000-per-week Pep Guardiola outcast has fallen further down the pecking order following Nathan Ake’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium.
Stones last played for City in our 4-0 win over relegated Watford last month, which marked only his 16th outing of the league season and 24th across all competitions during a campaign where errors have been frequent.
The Barnsley product was badly at fault for the two goals we allowed in our Premier League draw with Crystal Palace in January and never truly regained his place in Guardiola’s plans after being at fault for the goal Aston Villa scored in the Carabao Cup Final.
Chelsea could offer Stones a reprieve but are only considering a loan approach at this stage, as the England international is well regarded by the south-west London outfit’s hierarchy who pushed to sign him from Everton during both Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte’s respective spells in charge.
Many Manchester City fans have laughed off the idea of Chelsea signing Stones on loan, and feel the Blues should be more than capable of offering a suitable transfer fee for the 26-year-old if he is indeed well regarded at Stamford Bridge.
LOAN HAHAAHAHA https://t.co/3d6VB6S6Ce
— Lou (@Loutoo2) August 16, 2020
Loan bid?? pic.twitter.com/H7gtKUFncL
— Ali (@stuff_mcfc) August 16, 2020
Well, if he is so “well regarded” let them stump up some proper cash to BUY him (if Pep/City willing to sell??!) 😂 https://t.co/VFqBkbm6Hb
— Nigel Wilkinson 🐝 💯👕 (@25FernaFan) August 16, 2020
Loan? Sell him
— C Davenport (@CDavenp14150810) August 16, 2020
A loan move only works where Stones gets regular minutes, nothing is to be gained from Stones being loaned to go from out bench to Chelsea’s lol https://t.co/VC02yt1w19
— JSGC (@JSGC171) August 16, 2020
hell no we want a permanent deal not a loan @ChelseaFC
— AJ (@KunAgueroEra) August 16, 2020
No lol sell him
— saif06 (@mcfcsaif_) August 16, 2020
Chelsea seem to be spending big this summer. Werner, havertz, etc. They can pay for Stones, thanks.
— Kam O. (@_mcfc1) August 16, 2020
But not all Sky Blues supporters would be against Stones leaving the Etihad Stadium to join Chelsea on loan, as some would be open to him moving to Stamford Bridge and becoming a regular for Lampard only to not be able to play against City when our two sides meet.
Loan him out so he’s instrumental to their team and then suspend him whenever we play Chelsea so we can get 6 easy points
Pep Guardiola, He’s done it again!
— Spencer James Tomlinson (@Spencer200003) August 16, 2020