Back to the International Newsfeed

Stones steps into the shoes of Man City cult hero Zabaleta by inheriting number five shirt

With the Argentine defender having departed the Etihad Stadium at the end of his contract, his jersey has been passed on to the England international

With Pablo Zabaleta having left Manchester City as a free agent, his number five jersey has been passed to John Stones.

Zabaleta, a cult hero at the Etihad Stadium, has moved on to West Ham after reaching the end of his contract.

Pep Guardiola is looking to freshen up his ageing ranks, with 23-year-old Stones very much part of a long-term project.

He is yet to justify a £47.