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England defender John Stones is on Chelsea's radar as they look to bolster their central defense this summer, according to "The Athletic." The 32-year-old is a free agent after his contract with Manchester City expired. Following a couple of seasons plagued by injuries, he showcased strong form during the World Cup, featuring in five of England's eight matches.
Alongside the promising young talent at his disposal, new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is keen to add some experienced players to the squad. This is precisely why the club also showed interest in 34-year-old Granit Xhaka. However, Sunderland reportedly blocked Chelsea's attempts to sign the Swiss international.
Yesterday, reports emerged that Arsenal are also considering a move for Stones, especially after William Saliba sustained a serious injury during the 2026 World Cup. Mikel Arteta is very familiar with the defender's qualities from his time at Manchester City as an assistant to Pep Guardiola.
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