Chelsea interested in former Man City defender Stones

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that Chelsea are weighing a move for John Stones after the England defender left Manchester City and became available without a transfer fee. The outlet says the 32-year-old’s City deal ran out at the end of June while he was away at the World Cup with England, and that Chelsea have now joined Inter Milan among the clubs considering him.

The reported interest comes as Chelsea look at several defensive options. BBC Sport says the club are in discussions over Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix and are also monitoring Como defender Jacobo Ramon. At the same time, Chelsea are trying to create room in their squad by moving on existing central defenders.

According to the report, Trevoh Chalobah is in talks over a move to Como, while Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are among the players Chelsea are prepared to sell. That potential reshaping of the back line is the context for the club’s interest in Stones, whose free-agent status could make him a different type of option from targets requiring transfer fees.

Stones spent nine years at Manchester City after arriving from Everton in 2016 for £47.5m. BBC Sport notes that he made 295 appearances for City and was part of squads that won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, five League Cups and several other trophies. He also has 93 England caps, giving Chelsea and other suitors an experienced international option if they decide to pursue a deal.