{"id":8584,"date":"2026-05-15T05:49:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T05:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8584"},"modified":"2026-05-15T05:49:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T05:49:14","slug":"chelseas-new-manager-handed-perfect-first-signing-and-it-wont-cost-a-penny-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8584","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea&#8217;s new manager handed perfect first signing&#8230;and it won&#8217;t cost a penny"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_184259\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Chelsea have endured a horror campaign but ahead of this summer&#8217;s transfer window they&#8217;ve been urged to sign John Stones, who will leave Manchester City on a free<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37081579\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"John Stones has been integral to Manchester City's success - but will leave this summer\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-1502946659.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-1502946659.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-1502946659.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-1502946659.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"John Stones has been integral to Manchester City's success - but will leave this summer\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">John Stones has been integral to Manchester City&#8217;s success &#8211; but will leave this summer<cite aria-label=\"Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer &#8211; GES Sportfoto\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea have been urged to sign John Stones this summer with defender on the market after his Manchester City exit was announced.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The defender has been at the Etihad since 2016 and was among Pep Guardiola&#8217;s first signings. He&#8217;s been a crucial cog in their trophy-laden era but will seek a fresh challenge once the season ends having fallen down the pecking order.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Stones, now 31, has made 294 appearances for City and won six Premier League titles as well as the Champions League. His quality and winning experience would be a huge plus for any side and ex-Blue Glenn Hoddle insists Chelsea should be looking to make a move.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The west Londoners have endured a horror campaign, axing two managers, as their young squad fails to push on. Adding Stones, who has given no indication on his next move, would compliment their youthfulness.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_ae62be\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Chelsea fans to protest before FA Cup final with clear message for owners BlueCo<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_ae62be\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Chelsea already received Xabi Alonso green light as manager decides on new job<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Former Chelsea and England manager Hoddle said on TNT Sports\u2019 The Breakdown: &#8220;They need a couple of really experienced players that want to be there, but they\u2019re good apples, they\u2019re not bad apples.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;John Stones is going to move. He\u2019s a certainty\u2026 I\u2019d be going left, right and centre to get him. He\u2019s a good character, a good player still.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea are yet to appoint a successor to Liam Rosenior, who was sacked after only three months despite being handed a six-year deal. The Blues owners, fronted by Todd Boehly, have ploughed through managers since buying the club in 2022 and Hoddle feels as though the players have lost touch with the hierarchy, insisting that managerial changes have always been common place at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37145697\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37145697\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Xabi Alonso is among those being tipped as the next Chelsea boss\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37145697.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Real-Madrid-CF-v-Real-Betis-Balompie-LaLiga-EA-Sports.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37145697.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Real-Madrid-CF-v-Real-Betis-Balompie-LaLiga-EA-Sports.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37145697.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Real-Madrid-CF-v-Real-Betis-Balompie-LaLiga-EA-Sports.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37145697.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Real-Madrid-CF-v-Real-Betis-Balompie-LaLiga-EA-Sports.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Xabi Alonso is among those being tipped as the next Chelsea boss\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Xabi Alonso is among those being tipped as the next Chelsea boss<cite aria-label=\"Image: Quality Sport Images, Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Quality Sport Images, Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Hoddle claimed: &#8220;I think there is a disillusionment within the players at the people above, at the top. Yes, Chelsea have changed so many managers over the years, they go through managers left, right and centre, but they bring in trophies all the time. Even last year they brought in two trophies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;If I was at Chelsea now I\u2019d call for a meeting with everyone. The owners, the players and the management and the staff ought to talk and thrash this out because there\u2019s only one way it\u2019s going to go and that\u2019s on a downward spiral.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I can\u2019t see them having that sort of mentality at the moment, that spirit around the camp to have any chance of beating Manchester City.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>Join our new WhatsApp community! Click<\/em> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>this link<\/em> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our<\/em> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>Privacy Notice.<\/em><\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em\/><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33404045.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside <!-- -->Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea have endured a horror campaign but ahead of this summer&#8217;s transfer window they&#8217;ve been&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8585,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8584"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8584\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}