{"id":22416,"date":"2026-07-28T22:25:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T22:25:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22416"},"modified":"2026-07-28T22:25:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T22:25:17","slug":"why-john-stones-ulimately-decided-he-didnt-want-to-join-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22416","title":{"rendered":"Why John Stones ‘ulimately decided’ he didn’t want to join Chelsea"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea have hit another setback on the transfer front, as John Stones becomes the latest to reject the Blues after the Granit Xhaka saga.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chelsea actively explored signing free agent John Stones to add veteran leadership to Xabi Alonso\u2019s dressing room, seeking experience to guide their young squad. That same desire for proven authority drove the Blues\u2019 surprise pursuit of 33-year-old Granit Xhaka from Sunderland. <\/p>\n

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However, Chelsea look set to miss out on the former Manchester City defender. Stones has verbally agreed a two-year deal to join Italian champions Inter Milan following his Etihad departure. <\/p>\n

One positive is the fact that Maxence Lacroix appears to be making his way to Stamford Bridge, but he lacks the same kind of experience that a proven winner like Stones would have brought.<\/p>\n

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First Danny Welbeck and now Jordan Henderson! What is going on at Chelsea?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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John Stones wanted a completely new challenge<\/h2>\n

Simon Phillips issued an update on the John Stones pursuit after news broke that Inter Milan had agreed to sign him this summer. <\/p>\n

He stated: \u201cChelsea spoke twice with John Stones, who in the second round of talks was very open to the move to Stamford Bridge. However, he ultimately decided that he just wants to play in another league before he retires, so that\u2019s that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Chelsea spoke twice with John Stones, who in the second round of talks was very open to the move to Stamford Bridge. However, he ultimately decided that he just wants to play in another league before he retires, so that\u2019s that.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) July 27, 2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

It\u2019s a rather bizarre turn of events, as the Serie A isn\u2019t anything special. Perhaps he had spoken to his good friend Kyle Walker, who had a stint at AC Milan. <\/p>\n

Or it could be the fact that Stones didn\u2019t want to join a side that would be in direct competition with his former club, Manchester City, having spent 10 years there.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, it looks as if the Blues will have to extend their search for an experienced centre-back, and at this rate, they may as well have gone and re-signed Thiago Silva when they had the chance.<\/p>\n

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